10 Cheap and Easy Stress Relief Activities To Indulge in Anytime
April be a hectic month, especially for students approaching finals and working adults who don’t get spring breaks. With tax season adding to the stress, it’s important to decompress. Luckily, April is National Stress Awareness Month, and April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day in the U.S. If you’re looking for stress relief activities without breaking the bank, we have 10 affordable and easy ways to practice self-care. You can still practice affordable and easy stress relief activities even if you can’t treat yourself on April 16th because self-care is not limited to one day..
Treat yourself to some much-needed relaxation and rejuvenation with our stress relief tips for April and beyond.
1. Read a Book
Indulge in a magazine or a poem or revel in some fan fiction. Immerse yourself in someone else’s thoughts for once. Not only is reading a great escape and a means of working out your mind, but it may also grant you a new perspective on what you’re going through. Somewhere across the vast expanse of this world, someone else is weathering a similar storm and emerging unscathed. Spoiler alert: so will you.
2. Go for a Walk
Taking a break from the bustle of life with a gentle walk in nature or city parks can do wonders for the body and mind. Away from your roommate’s reminders, it’s a moment to reconnect with a larger world.
Walking may not be intense exercise, but even brisk walking releases endorphins and elevates your mood, right? (Elle Woods agrees!). And if you bring a four-legged furry friend, the tranquility multiplies. Something so simple can be your recipe for a quick pick-me-up when you need it most.
If you’re looking for a bigger rush of endorphins, check out our list of the best exercise routines to kick-start your heart health!
3. Call Your Mom, or Dad, or Sibling or Best Friend
Did you know that there’s truth in the adage, “I’m only a phone call away”? It’s not just a cheesy line. In fact, this idea was first popularized by Frank Sinatra. While meeting a friend over coffee or a drink is ideal, sometimes that’s not due to distance. That’s where the beauty of a phone call comes in. Your loved ones know you inside-out and can ground you in your roots. They’re always right by your side, your biggest supporters, no matter how far away they may be.
4. Unplug From All of Your Screens
Social media can add significant amounts of stress and pressure to our daily life, and that’s just one small part of the digital landscape. Coupled with work emails, personal messages, and incessant news alerts, our minds are unable to rest, making it hard for us to stay focused on anything. The constant buzzing of our phone and flashing of our laptops makes us feel like our heads will explode.
Unplugging is key. Take time to declutter, journal, go for a walk, or connect with loved ones. Everything will still be there when you return, but you’ll have a fresh perspective and newfound focus.
5. Sing Really Loudly
Scientifically proven fact: singing makes you happier. Deep breathing required for belting out your go-to melody with a hairbrush pulls in more oxygen to the blood and boosts circulation, leading to the release of endorphins – the ‘happy hormone’.
So switch on your favorite middle school tune or the one you can’t help but hum to, and let go. Who cares if the neighbors hear? They probably were doing the same thing while you were out. Singing is one of the most exuberant stress relief activities you can find!
6. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter or Rescue
Volunteering at an animal shelter or rescue is an ideal way to bring joy to your life if you’re a lover of all things furry and adorable. Not only can you enjoy the company of cute dogs begging for tender love and care, but you can also make a real impact in the community by supporting a noble cause. By contributing just a few hours per week, you can help these adorable creatures find their permanent homes while enhancing your own life at the same time.
7. Take a Hike
Taking a hike is a step up from going for a walk. You get an added healthy dose of fresh air, heart-pumping exercise, and nature’s beauty. Also, there’s always a new trail nearby to explore, providing endless opportunities for adventure and discovery.
Hiking with friends is a bonding experience like no other, creating unforgettable memories amidst nature’s serenity.
8. Meditate
Although might not actively practice yoga or mindfulness, meditation is a term you have probably come across. Simply put, meditation involves focusing your mind to achieve a peaceful and clear state. By increasing your self-awareness, you train your mind to avoid unwanted thoughts in addition to mindful choices. Not just does it help reduce anxiety and stress, but it also boosts your attention span and improves sleep – both in the present and after you meditate. Om much?
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9. Get a Pedicure
Fellas, this is for you too … you don’t have to get your nails painted to feel the benefits of a pedicure. Soaking your feet in warm water while a massage chair rubs your back is probably one of the original and most basic stress relief activities. Oh, and the foot massage is not too bad, either.
Some pedicures can be pricey, but salons sometimes have deals on certain days or times. You should definitely be able to find one in your price range … so even though it’s not an absolute necessity, you can afford to splurge a little. You deserve it.
10. Make Time for Something That Makes You Happy
In the midst of our hectic routines and endless task lists, it’s easy to overlook the activities that bring us joy. Yet the hobbies we pursued during simpler times hold the key to our happiness and wellbeing.
Carving out time to indulge in these pastimes isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing or sharing old movies with your loved ones, these activities are crucial stress-busters, rejuvenating both the mind and soul.
So, smile more often and embrace those hobbies that make your heart sing. They are a vital investment in your own wellbeing.
Did we miss any of your favorite stress relief activities? Comment below to tell us what you do to relax! (https://www.creativesystems.com/) Need more stress releasing strategies? Check out our guide to relieving stress during the holidays – it’s brimming with tips you can use all year!
