During these hectic and unpredictable time everyone’s stress and anxiety is probably through the roof, whether they’d like it or not. While people are worrying about all the problems going on, one thing that is slipping their mind is their own mental health. People are not taking their mental health into consideration. But worry not, I have come with 5 of my favorite ways that help relax and calm me down.
1. Running
I was reading this book called Rumble by Ellen Hopkins. (10/10 recommend.) In the book there was a quote that was said and it really stuck with me because I think it could be true.
When all else fails, go for a run. Hard to stay mad when you’re breathing hard.
From Rumble by Ellen Hopkins
Maybe you don’t like to work out, BUT HEAR ME OUT! It’s honestly pretty fun once you get used to it. You feel accomplished and have this runners high after. (Lol) It helps take your mind off of things because it’s just you, the ground and nature. And like the quote says, you can’t stay mad when you’re breathing hard. Although you do feel tired, it’s a good tired, an accomplished tired. Also since there is less people out it’s much more peaceful when going on a run.
Don’t feel discouraged if you think you run slow, obviously you’re not going to be super fast if you don’t regularly run. Run at your own pace and then increase. Your only competition should be yourself. Download a running app (I recommend the Nike one) where it tracks the time and distance ran for that session. And then compare each day, see if you improve and try beating it everyday even by a couple of seconds.
2. Writing
Sometimes 280 characters isn’t enough to express yourself. I highly recommend writing because its a great way to get everything off your mind, by getting it on paper. (This is a form of venting, IMO.) You can keep a journal and just write whatever you want in it: How you feel, how your day went, how you want your future to go, etc. There is no rules as to what to write in your journal; keep it for yourself maybe as a memento of the current age you are and what your living through or as a way to track progress for your health, etc. Also there’s just something so nice about writing down what you feel on paper, I don’t know how to explain it.
If you don’t want or can’t keep a physical journal because of privacy concerns there are several free apps that you can download throughout the various app stores that can substitute.Make this your safe place if you don’t have any other safe place. Your thoughts and feelings are valid!
3. Listen to Awesome Music
This should be a no brainer. Don’t listen to your depression playlist and listen to something better. Make a playlist of songs that will help you calm down and be chill. Or if you want to dance your feelings away make the best party playlist. It’s really up to you. Also start listening to new artists you haven’t heard before broaden your horizons.
To start you off on your musical journey here are my two favorite playlist. My chill playlist, which is titled “late night tunes” and dance playlist, titled “PURE TUNES.”
late night tunes
PURE TUNES
4. Reading
I highly recommend this because this is a great way to take your mind off of things for a while and just focus on something else. Like with music what you read is up to you. If you don’t like reading long books don’t get a long book, reading is enjoyable as long as you know what to choose for yourself.
While I would strongly suggest reading a physical book so you put down the phone and are just a away from it for a while; with the current situation might be harder to rent books from the library. If you can ask someone you are quarantined with if they happen to have a physical book for you to read, maybe it’s not something you like but it’s always good to be cultured in different arenas. But, if you can’t there is always plenty of ebooks online for free!
5. Breathing Exercises
Believe it or not, but just by changing the pace of your breathe can affect you dramatically. I learned about this via finding out and balancing my chakras. (Yes, I’m one of THOSE people. Lol) I now use them whenever I’m feeling either very anxious or stressed out and help a lot. While there a various ones, linked are two of my favorite exercises that I like a lot and how to practice them.
Hopefully you find one of these activities beneficial for yourself and add it to your daily routine. Your mental health should always come first! Take time to just breathe and relax from the world. It’s okay!
J’s Journal 
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