- Change your mood with some music. Music is essential when someone just got on your last nerve. Find some fun dance music or some soothing classical music and focus on that. If you don’t have access to music, play some in your head. Everyone has their own happy song, find yours to play in your head when you need to step away from a potentially disastrous situation. My dad once taught me to play circus music in my head when I became frustrated with a person during a conversation. That’s always been my signature move, especially when I put clown noses on those people in my head. Best advice ever, and it always makes me smile instead losing my $#!* with someone.
- Snuggle your pet. Like music, pets can be very calming and stress levels can drop considerably when you have your furry little friend nearby. Fish tanks and chirping birds also do the trick if you don’t have a pet, so think outside of the box.
My Pup Max
- Get a snack. Sometimes when your mouth wants to move in a negative direction, the best way to redirect it is by munching. Keep a healthy snack handy at work or in your car so that you don’t make things worse by being hangry.
- Take a walk. Alone time when you’re about to blow a gasket is underrated. A walk and some good music can change everything. Also, talking on the phone while walking is a great stress reliever because you can exercise with your friend at the same time
- Connect with nature. Gardening, hiking, or even reading in your hammock is a great way to keep your lid from boiling over. There’s something about hearing nature sounds, smelling fresh air and getting some vitamin D that’s really soothing to the soul.
- Find a friend. Yes, that’s what friends are for and that’s why they’re your chosen family! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve texted my bestie the exact same text that reads “I’m coming over before I slap someone.” Most of the time she’s either working from home or in the middle of some crazy house project, but when you need a change of scenery to stay calm, it’s okay to be selfish. I’ll tune her out while she’s on her conference call, play Words With Friends on my phone, then eat all of her snacks until I’m not so hostile anymore. I’m not even embarrassed to say that I’ve restocked her snack drawer several times because I’ve eaten her entire stash of junk food. Again, that’s what friends are for!
- Take a drive. Driving shifts your energy on something other than getting to that last and final straw. Country roads that are tree lined and windy are my favorite roads. Put on sunglasses, roll down the windows, play some really happy music and be free!
- Find some water. Looking at water is a beach vacation in your head and focusing on the sound can take you to a different place internally. If you don’t live near a beach, find a small stream or waterfall nearby and get lost in the sound of the water.
- Get your yoga on. You don’t have to be a yogi to center yourself with a downward facing dog or a warrior pose. Even if you need to skip over all that, head straight to savasana and end up in the nap position, there are no rules! Your body will tell you what it needs, so pay attention and do what feels right
- Get Creative. Contrary to popular belief, EVERYONE is creative in some way. Even science geeks can find a creative outlet; you’ll find it, I promise. Here’s an example: I don’t like to paint, but I do like to paint my face on every morning by using different colors and techniques. Maybe a technical drawing or sketching out a maze excites you, do whatever feels right to quiet your mind. Just because you can’t play the piano, doesn’t mean you can’t sing the music. Get creative getting creative!
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