It’s there again. That feeling of dread that weighs your entire body down. The clutches of stress! Your chest binds tight, your shoulders are hunched, and it feels like your waiting for some predator to pounce upon you. And yet, somewhere in the depths of your mind, you know that the only predator here is your overthinking mind.

But knowing that you’re overthinking won’t resolve your stress. The only viable solution is refocusing your intensely wayward mind.

And look, you can scour the web for vague solutions like meditation, but I’m gonna share the real ways I de-stress. Of course, not all of them will work for you, but it’s better than being told to simply meditate…

Aromatherapy

Truth be told, meditation is not just sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed. The true meaning is the ability to refocus your mind. You’ve been holding onto dangerous thoughts for far too long, but you can’t just simply cast them aside. You must replace them.

But first, you’ve gotta decompress!

One particularly effective method for me is aromatherapy. I have a diffuser in my room, along with a collection of scents. My favourite for destressing is lavender, and I’ll put it on while I’m writing, playing a game or watching a movie. I’ve even used lavender for a good night’s sleep.

Studies show how effective lavender is for calming the mind and body. But the trick here is not to bathe in the beautiful aromas and feel soothed by the effects. You’ve still got a mind to reclaim! So find something that you love to do and do it while breathing in diffused lavender. Or whatever scent takes you fancy…

Go for a walk

Of course, there are more natural ways to de-stress your mind. Like strolling through luscious green trees and taking in their earthy tones. Honestly, nothing beats the natural smell of a forest.

As well as walking, I usually pump my ears with flavoursome tunes to drown out any toxic thoughts. And music is not just great for walking. I’ll throw it on when I’m gaming or even writing, too.

Write it out

Some stressors are irrational or trivial – like stressing about wasting time, which is a waste of time. But other stressors need to be unpacked and understood. And writing is a great go-to for many writers of all persuasions.

It can also be cathartic depending on how tightly you wield the pen and how hard you scratch the notepad. Oh yes, you must write with a pen. It’s just not as powerful as tapping a keyboard.

Get a good night’s sleep

If I’ve been stressing for a couple of days, it affects my sleep. I feel tense which doesn’t help, causing the kind of poor sleep where you wake up at 3am for no apparent reason. How annoying!

So what I tend to do is utilise a few of the other methods mentioned in this article and allow myself “me time” for a whole afternoon and evening. Then, when I rug up under the covers, I’ll play some soothing sounds to help me sleep deeply. My go-to is Sleep Sounds via the Google Play Store. But you can find many apps like them on both Google and Apple. Or even use YouTube…

Cook regularly at home

Bad moods begin and end in the gut because that’s where your central nervous system is. And that’s why I’ve learned to cook for myself. It’s a great way to control what you eat and can be a weirdly soothing activity. At least for me, that is…

When I’m in the zone, swooping between appliances (no doubt with the help of some upbeat tunes), I’m able to take my mind away from all the worries swimming within my head.

Sip on some herbal tea

I’ve only just started getting into herbal teas this year, and they work wonders on various health issues. Peppermint is great for crappy stomachs while chamomile is a godsend for stressed minds. But the greatest thing about them is that they give you something to do.

I love spending a moment or two letting the billowing steam whirl up to my face. Sometimes I even hover my nose over it and breathe it in. And that’s great for sinus problems, too!

Remember to drink water

Finally, a hydrated mind brings better moods. Your body is like a plant – it needs adequate water to survive. And when you’re dehydrated, the bad moods surface like clockwork. So if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, ask yourself if you’ve had enough water today.

Because just like a plant, when you nourish yourself with enough water you’ll thrive.

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And there you have it; a few tricks that I use to de-stress. What are your remedies for stress? Let me know in the comments below!