A tough week – so relax

For better or worse, sometimes the week is just full of things that require thought, emotion, action and tons of time. When you factor in relatives, politics, little crosses, and a few other unexpected things, it sometimes happens that Friday is over and you’re exhausted and a little stressed. Terms like “Weekend Anxiety Syndrome” and “Sunday Scaries” are making their way into our mental health vocabulary alongside the “Monday Blues”. These terms describe the feelings you experience before returning to your normal Monday through Friday workday. It’s that feeling of fear, that knot in your stomach, that racing heart. We’re telling you about a tough week. Here’s how to relax.

Set a time to de-stress

Photo by Siavash Ghanbari via Unsplash

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Experiencing an overflow of emotions, even when they are positive, can leave us feeling drained, like we’re waiting for the other foot to drop. These worries can take up brain space and take up large parts of our days. It’s a cliché to say, “Don’t stress yourself,” instead try to limit the stress you cause, even though it sounds silly. Take 15 to 30 minutes a day to think about what’s stressing you out — maybe write it down or make a plan to address those issues — and then try your best to let go of them. If your routines are easily disrupted, avoid doing this in the early morning or late evening as it can affect your productivity and sleep.

Disconnect devices

The protracted elections meant that most of us spent most of our days on the news and on our smartphones. While you might be happy now to see all the videos of people partying and dancing on the streets, it’s important to reduce the sense of dependency on your phone. Now that there’s (hopefully) no more breaking news, you can focus on making better use of your time.

Do breathing exercises

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Breathing exercises are a good way to allay anxious feelings, at least temporarily. If you think too much in the morning or have a sinking feeling when you go to bed, focus on your breathing. If you need visual help, you can visit sites like Sand, Galaxy Weave, and more.

A gummy bear

More and more people are using a gummy bear to tone down a bit at the end of the day. Marijuana is known to help with stress, and a small amount on a Friday or Saturday can help you relax without getting really high.

Stay in the present

2020 is the year of uncertainty. This will not magically change with a new president or a new year. While it’s stressful thinking about all the changes that are about to happen, it’s important to nurture your relationships and look for activities that make you feel happy and fulfilled. These small victories will help you feel more positive and stay grounded in the present moment.

If you’ve had a tough week, hopefully the following relaxation tips will help.