25 Things You Can Do To Deal with Stress

Maybe you’ve experienced the death of a loved one, a painful divorce, or illness. Or perhaps you’re about to get married or start a new job. Whether you’re at a highpoint or low point in your life, you’re probably no stranger to stress. And sometimes it can be unbearable. But don’t fret! Here are 25 things you can do to deal with stress.

1. Compose a poem.
2. Exercise.
3. Engage in a hobby you love.
4. Drink plenty of water.
5. Read.
6. Sleep well.
7. Practice breathing exercises.
8. Hug someone! Human contact releases endorphins.
9. Have an intellectually stimulating conversation.
10. Change up the scenery. Take an afternoon drive or walk in the park.
11. Play with a baby or child. If you don’t have kids, baby-sit for a friend.
12. Treat yourself to a bubble bath.
13. Care for a pet. Nothing is more calming than sharing unconditional love with a furry dog.
14. Recall and relive a favorite memory.
15. Wake up early. The early bird not only catches the worm, but is also easygoing.
16. Make daily goals and accomplish them.
17. Volunteer at a non-profit organization.
18. Delegate work. It’s okay to hire someone to clean out your garage! You don’t have to do everything yourself.
19. Laugh often. It really is true – laughter is the best medicine. Watch a funny movie or tell a joke to a friend.
20. Keep a diary. It’s important to release your thoughts onto paper so they are not crowding your mind.
21. Draw or paint a picture.
22. Smile. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, you’ll find that if you smile anyways, you eventually will feel like smiling.
23. Eat healthy. Avoid alcohol, sugar, salt, and caffeine. And make sure to eat enough; if you don’t have a healthy body, you won’t have a healthy mental state.
24. Listen to music. Of the 25 things you can do to deal with stress, music is one of the most powerful; it is an amazing gift. Make a mix tape of your favorite genre and tune out the world for fifteen minutes or so every day.
25. Spend time outdoors. Getting in touch with nature puts your life in perspective and can be very helpful for stress relief.