4 Ways to De-Stress

Whether it’s a midterm, an argument, or a project at work, life can be pretty stressful. As a student in their fifth year of university, I would like to think that I have learned some healthy coping mechanisms for stress (crying in my car excluded).  I’ve compiled my essential, top four ways to destress/relax/unwind when going through tough times. These work for me, and I hope that they can work for you as well. 

1. Eat a real meal.

When times are stressful, it is extremely easy to pick up a bag of salt and vinegar chips and go to town, multitasking while devouring the entire bag. I'm a university student, so of course I'm guilty of eating cup noodles mindlessly while trying to cram a report that is due at 11:59. But I've changed my ways! As a former binge eater, I realized one of my main triggers was stress and feeling out of control. One of the ways I have healed my relationship with food is realizing that food is how I fuel my body and mind, so I try to incorporate nutrient dense foods. As well, I try to eat mindfully. For me, this means stepping away from my computer and dedicating 20 minutes to sitting down and eating my food with no distractions, to focus on how my body is feeling. This also provides a break from what you're working on/stressing over.

Learning how to cook my own food was a game changer for this. I found peace in chopping and preparing vegetables, and eating food that I knew I had cooked was extremely rewarding (Have you ever peeled and chopped 5 carrots in a row? It’s like ASMR in real life). One of my favourite recipes this winter is this chicken soup with ginger and turmeric. Ginger and turmeric are both good for your stomach supposedly, and this soup has kale in it. I had never had kale until the past year, but this soup is one of the only ways I consume it.  When I eat it, I feel the health running through my veins.

2. Stay hydrated.

I hated drinking water growing up - but now you would not catch me at home or out and about without my reusable water bottle filled to the brim. I am guilty of drinking entire carafes of water at dinner while everyone else nurses a single glass. I am at peace with this.

I have a few go-to beverages that I enjoy along with my water - diet soda (though I’m guilty of going through a 2L bottle of this in a day), herbal tea, and of course, kombucha. Now, if you’ve never had kombucha it may be an acquired taste - I recommend the Farm Boy, Rise, and Tonica kombucha brands for those trying it for the first time. The drink supplies probiotics which support gut health - which studies say may positively affect your mood! Overall, staying hydrated keeps you grounded while working, and is an essential part of taking care of yourself. Especially if we consider walking to the fridge to refill the Brita a form of exercise… right? 

3. Get outside.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I have promised to myself that I would leave my house at least once a day. As someone who tele-worked and tele-schooled this past year, it has made a drastic difference in my mental health since I started doing this. Whether I go for a hike, take a walk around the block, or just walk to the nearest convenience store to get a Diet Coke, getting outside everyday allows me to take a break and ground myself in the outside world. It serves as a reminder that there is life beyond my web browser. 

In the winter, this can be hard to do, so I usually focus on a destination that is warm, rather than walking for 5 kilometres in -20C. I try to either go to a coffee shop or the grocery store to get a change of scenery, but if the weather is horrible, even a trip to the front porch of your apartment building is better than nothing - trust me!  

4. Take a bath

I must say - I’ve always been a bath person. Whether I add dish soap, salt (of the table or epsom variety, depending on what I have around my house on any given day), or a Lush Bath Bomb, a bath serves two functions: cleaning myself, and treating myself. When stressed or struggling with mental health, it can be hard to work up the energy to do either. 

A bath can be greatly beneficial for your physical health or mental health depending on what you like to add to your water. Epsom salts, for example can help with muscle pains and insomnia. I like to practice my own amateur version of aromatherapy when I take a bath, mixing lavender or eucalyptus essential oils with carrier oils such as coconut oil to relax me and moisturize my skin.

I hope that my top 4 ways to destress could bring you some relaxation. Heck, even taking a break to read this could be relaxing in some form, right? If these methods worked for you, I encourage you to reach out to me, because I’d love to hear from you!