If you’ve ever suffered from acne, knotted shoulders, an eye twitch or even an ulcer, people will tell you to stop being so stressed and that that will cure your tension induced twitch, tick or ailment.
As if stress is magically turned on and off.
Most of us don’t exactly work a straightforward 9 -5, and between commuting, family life, idiots on the Internet and this over all “Now Panic and Freak Out” climate – who the hell can just magically get rid of the stress in their life?
There are a few things you can do to chill the fuck out. Some people suggest running. Others that you “get a good night sleep” (easier said than done). And some say to detox and get rid of the stressful people in our lives.
Unfortunately, not many of us can just cut out those who are causing us stress (you can’t really dump your inlaws, can you?) so I find that buying little bits and pieces and doing new things can really help when the stress gets to be too much.
Here are some materialistic attempts at easing your stress, and distracting away from your daily bullshit.
While it may seem stereotypical to go take a frilly, hot bath when you’ve had a horrible day –but I’m telling you, it helps. Throw in a bath bomb from Lush, and the glitter, flowers, bubbles and amazing scents will make you forget how shitty your life is at the moment.
2) Posh Tea
I don’t care where you buy it from. Whether you’re a Tea Pigs or Tea Palace fan – buy yourself some deliciously over-priced tea. With tea, you really do get what you pay for, so why not treat yourself?
On your way home, why not pick up a tea you’ve never treated yourself to before? Sip it in your frilly bath instead of a glass of wine. No one wants to be the drunk girl crying in the bath on a Tuesday night. (Save that for Friday.)
3) Magazines & Takeaway
While Dr.Phil and every other doctor might tell you that eating your feelings is bad, and that you should not find solice in food – fuck that. I am all about eating your feelings and using food to make yourself feel better. Your ass may expand, but it’s better than crying and hating life all the time. At least you’re enjoying good food!
Pick up the lastest issue of Vogue or Bust or Instyle, phone up a pizza or some Pad Thai from your favorite Thai place, and spend the evening listening to your favorite CD, looking at fabulous clothes you’ll never be able to afford (“FML!”) and stuff your face.
4) Bake For Your Mates
This may be a little too Susie Homemaker for you, but there’s something about making your favorite cake or tarts for your best friends that will be sure to cheer you up. Don’t try anything new or fancy, as burning it or experimenting and having it turn out wrong will surely make you only feel worse.
Bake your signature dish. Blast some Janis Joplin while you’re whipping it up. Just chill the fuck out, and then make someone else’s day with some surprise lemon cake. Good deeds may be selfish sometimes, but it will put a smile on your face regardless.
5) Sit. Watch. Listen.
If you have dog or cat that likes the outdoors, why not take your pooch or pussy out for a walk? Get some fresh air. Watch the kids running around playing. Watch the cars go by and watch the sun go down. Sit outside at a different café you’ve never been to before, get a cappuccino and people watch.
It can put things into perspective. What real life is. What work life is. And what even who you are. Observing people can sometimes lead to your own realizations. Sounds corny, but it’s true. At least for me, anyway.
Image via BraveNewTraveller's Flickr