Hey there, fabulous readers! 🌟 Shining as always!
So today, we are going talk about something that we all have; Stress.
Not just about stress, but about stress management. (without cats 😬)
Stress is like that annoying fly at a picnic; uninvited and persistent.
I get stressed from time to time though I must say that I can surprisingly handle stress pretty well. The first thing I do when I’m too stressed is cry 🙂
So…
Ready to learn how to manage stress? Let’s go!
The Power of Deep Breathing
Ever notice how you sigh when you're stressed? That's your body's way of trying to calm down.
Let’s take it up a notch with some deep breathing exercises.
Wim Hof, the author of the book ‘The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential’ has pointed out a great method for this.
Get into a comfortable, meditative position.
Force yourself to briefly hyperventilate by taking 30 to 40 quick, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose or mouth and exhale through your mouth.
Make sure that each breath fills both your belly and chest and that they follow one another in short, powerful bursts.
After you’ve finished your 30 or 40 rapid breaths, inhale deeply, let it out, then stop breathing. Keep your lungs uninflated for as long as you can.
Then, take one final deep breath and hold it in your lungs for about 15 seconds.
This completes one round of breathing. Do this without pausing for three to four rounds each session. A calm state should follow.
There are some known side effects of this exercise though, including tingling throughout your body, especially in your fingers and toes, and dizziness. In rare cases, you may even feel faint or lose consciousness.
Don’t worry, these side effects aren’t harmful. Some participants even report that the symptoms are one of the more pleasant and desirable results of the process.
I pointed it out for you guys as a fair warning. If you have any medical conditions like asthma, this method would not be suitable.
Time Management: Be the Boss of Your Schedule
Stress often comes from feeling overwhelmed.
This is supposedly one of the main reasons for stress. Many people like managing their lives. So here’s a little tip.
One of the most famous personalities on this area is Mike Vardy. I summarized his advice for you guys. (He has a whole medium article on this if you need further information)
His article introduces Time Theming and Mode-Based Living as effective time management techniques.
Time Theming
Time Theming involves assigning specific themes or overarching focus to different time frames, such as daily, weekly, monthly, and horizontal themes, to help direct attention and reduce distractions.
Key Points
Daily Theming:
Assign a specific theme to each day of the week.
Helps in deciding the primary focus for the day.
Allows flexibility to handle unexpected tasks while providing a direction to return to.
Horizontal Theming:
Assigns a specific focus to blocks of time across multiple days.
Useful for tasks requiring consistent attention but not a whole day.
Example: Writing from 9 AM to 11 AM on weekdays.
Monthly Theming:
Provides an overarching focus for an entire month.
Aligns daily and weekly tasks with broader goals.
Avoid assigning themes to all 12 months; aim for 10 or fewer.
Weekly Sprints:
Focuses on completing smaller, high-priority tasks within a week.
Suitable for projects requiring intense, short-term focus.
Recommended to use sparingly to avoid burnout.
Mode-Based Living
Mode-Based Living categorizes tasks by time, resource, energy, activity, and theme, facilitating smoother task management and productivity.
Time-Based Modes: Categorize tasks by the time they take (short, medium, long).
Resource-Based Modes: Group tasks by the resources needed (people, places, things).
Energy-Based Modes: Match tasks with your energy levels (high, low).
Activity-Based Modes: Group tasks by type of activity (writing, calling, maintaining).
Theme-Based Modes: Align tasks with specific themes for better focus.
Relaxation Methods: Find Your Zen
Relaxation isn't just for spa days. Use these simple techniques into your daily routine to keep stress levels in check!
Meditation: Spend a few minutes each day meditating. This could be a major help and relaxes not only your mind but also your body.
Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and then slowly relax each muscle group, starting from your toes up to your head.
Visualization: Close your eyes and picture a peaceful scene. Imagine yourself there, enjoying the serenity. (Like eating a pizza…)
Physical Activity: Move That Body
Exercise is a fantastic stress buster. It releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
Go for a walk: A quick stroll can clear your mind and improve your mood. But I know you guys already do this considering all the notes I see. But yeah, try to do it whenever you are stressed. At least to your garden or the backyard?
Yoga: This combines physical movement with deep breathing and relaxation.
Dance it out: Put on your favorite music and dance like nobody’s watching. This isn’t something new to y’all. I know that! *wink*
Connect with Others (Extrovert energy alert!!)
Talking to friends and family can be a great way to relieve stress. Sometimes, just sharing what you're going through can make a huge difference.
Call or video chat: Catch up with a friend or loved one.
Join a group: Find a club or group that shares your interests.
Volunteer: Helping others can boost your mood and reduce stress.
This is just not for introverts like me… *sigh*
Laugh More: Humor is the Best Medicine
Laughter truly is a great stress reliever. Watch a funny movie, read a hilarious book or a newsletter, or just spend time with people who make you laugh. Besides, it is said that laughing cleans your blood. 🤷🏻♀️
Get a Cat or a Dog: The Ultimate Solution to Every Problem
Seriously. Do I even need to tell you this? Go get a pet. (Says the girl who doesn’t have any pets. For my defense, I had two dogs and now my mom doesn’t want any 😭)
Here’s an image to convince you to get a cat AND a dog. Cause why not? Also, is it okay to be both cat and dog person? I am…
P.S. The dog looks just like ’s pal Bear!
Here are some amazing techniques our fellow writers use to manage stress!
gave a very lengthy and familiar description of his solution; writing 🤠 likes to manage stress as follows! is his suggestion for the problem! Go check her out as well! She has an amazing and helpful newsletter and a podcast! 💕@abdullah loves his sleep! 😪(Sleep do help though)
Weed doesn’t work for our friend
! 😅Our cute artist friend
suggests medicine and meditation! 🧘🏻♀️🧘🏻 loves his very peaceful way of stress management! Love this 💕 loves her meds 😉 is still figuring it out! Hope this helps 🥰My new friend
has a very unique way of stress management! Love it 💕Final Thoughts
Stress is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to control you. By using these stress management techniques in your daily routine, you can keep stress at manageable levels and enjoy a happier, healthier life.
Remember, you’ve got this! And next time stress tries to crash your picnic, you’ll be ready to smack that little shit!
The ultimate summary: Get a pet (no excuses needed)
So guys,
I’m a solid 9 😁
What do you guys think about the techniques? Would you try them out?
Also, if you can kindly vote for the poll!!! Your humble peasant is waiting 😌
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This week’s recommendation 👻💕
Marie is the first ever writer I met on Substack and my first subscriber. One of the most inspiring writers in Substack! Marie is a living example of the possibility of success. Her newsletter is such a vibe and unique! Check her out if you haven’t! (Almost everyone in Substack knows her by now though ><)
More from Spooky with Izel;
Well then, until Sunday! Have an awesome day my amazing reader! Stay happy and healthy <3
Spookily your,
References
Anderson, A. (2022, October 19). Wim Hof Breathing Technique. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/wim-hof-breathing-technique
Vardy, M. (2023, July 19). Stop managing your time. start crafting your time instead. Medium. https://medium.com/@mikevardy/stop-managing-your-time-start-crafting-your-time-instead-c137a8a5c0e7
The method I thought that I've been trying to avoid peopleThis is also a psychological recovery movement, Dr. psychological recovery, and I liked it.It's not a reason why the person is not coming out.
Hi Izel,
This was one of the best stress relieve posts I have read!
*PS. I am feeling in between 8 and 9 for the Loki!