Stress: Fact VS Reality

I talk a lot about being anxious and having depression, but I never really touch on stress. I have always been stressed at school my mentor told me that due to stress he was convinced that I would have a heart attack by the time I was 25. It was a bit harsh, but I see where he was coming from. Recently I have been very aware of how high my levels of stress are, my stress always from through my skin and my skin has been horrendous, knowing that my stress is at new levels is all well and good except it doesn’t actually help me try to lower my stress levels.

What I have heard helps.

Exercise- when I talk to any about people being stressed, they always suggest to exercise, they help sometimes but personally it is only effective for a little while. Recently I have been walking with my boyfriend, this seems to work really well because I have a nice walk down canterbury river with someone that I love talking to so I’m not sure if it’s the walking, the scenery or the company.

Writing it down- a lot of people suggest writing down how I feel, I actually love doing this (as you can tell from me writing a blog) but writing things down in a journey or diary makes me feel like I’m in a tv voice over and as much as that is really cool it is also so awkward.

Be positive- I would love to be a positive person and as you should know by now, I’m on my own journey to be more positive. However, that isn’t an easy thing to do in a short amount of time. So, this isn’t something that helps my well not in the short term at least.

What actually helps me.

Personally, I have my own ways of dealing with stress, that if you are feeling stressed may help you out! *these are not from a professional simply a personal point of view. *

When I am feeling stressed, my biggest coping mechanism is being creative. I’m not good at art even though I enjoy it, but it has always felt calming to be creative whether that’s painting, making something of any kind, pretty much anything. It has always helped me get back to feeling myself and get back to reality and not stop the stress because it’s really not that easy (trust me I know) recently me and my partner have started making a vampire diaries board game (see TikTok for all the updates) this is something that I get so excited about and I really feel that it helps to de stress me (but by no means has it taken away all my worries and problems).

So, there is something that is a big part of me that isn’t really well known and that is that I m a film, tv show and book nerd! I am a sucker for it, whether that is in bed with a good book that I’ve been waiting to read, watching a film that brings me comfort (like a Cinderella story or the parent trap), or binging a tv series in bed with my boyfriend (currently watching scrubs and the vampire diaries again). I guess watching or reading about a fantasy world helps me to take myself out of the world in its current state which helps me to de stress at even if it is only temporary.

I also find that leaving the house even if it is for a walk down by the river it helps me to clear my head and get some fresh air. It’s not the exercise I don’t think, I actually think that it is just the getting out of the house and in a different environment that helps to de stress.

I am also a big lover of cuddles and personal touch and feel that they always make me feel a little better when I am having a hard day.

What are some things that help you destress that are personal top you?

So, consider this your weekly check-in.

How is your journey going?

What setbacks have you faced this week?

What has been your biggest challenge?

Is stress something that you need to work on?

What is your goal for this week?

So remember you are enough just as you are and as long as you are happy with yourself that is all that matters.

I hope you know how amazing and loved you are.

- Laney