How To Relieve Stress for Free

    

We have all been in quarantine and have experienced something that will go down in history books. Many have lost loved ones, jobs, and their sense of security as result of this pandemic. I don't know about you but my stress levels have been crazy high during this time, I've had so many family members get Covid (one who I was a caretaker for). Thankfully they have all recovered but I had to find an escape from the craziness of the world.  I'm going to tell you some fun things I've been implementing in my life. Best part, they are all free!

  Dancing

picture by cottonbro

  I love to dance. Dancing is so freeing and it brings me so much joy. According to Chartwell.com, "[dancing] can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,* according to a study in The Arts in Psychotherapy." https://chartwell.com/en/blog/2019/07/8-ways-dancing-boosts-your-physical-and-mental-health. 

  Dancing is even mentioned in the Bible,  "Let them praise His name with dancing." (Psalm 149:3). I love to go on YouTube and play my favorite songs and get up and groove. It used to be my favorite thing to do with my late dog Ellie. I'll share a video of us dancing here (SUPER FUNNY)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjDl-qVFyMI. 

Dancing is also an amazing workout and you are going to feel great after your session!

Helping Others

  Kindness can go a long way. I don't know about you, but I can get down a lot. I have a lot of emotions and sometimes I can get sad thinking of them all. I am an introvert and I love to seek solace within myself, especially when I am feeling down. But I notice that when I step out of myself and reach out to serve others, I tend to forget about my problems for a while. It great to know that you have the power to bring a smile to someone even when you can't smile yourself.

  Try calling your parents, helping a neighbor, donating to a GoFundMe campaign or be a listening ear to a senior who is lonely. It all will make you feel fulfilled and will give you a sense of peace. Sometimes it gives you a sense of gratitude knowing that you are not alone in your issues or that someone might even have it worse. 

You can become a pen pal to a senior. Send a digital letter here that will truly brighten someone's day. https://www.readytocare.com/take-action/become-pen-pal/

 GAMING

  I have loved video games since I was a child. There's nothing like building your own world and conquering tasks in an almost dream world.  I found an awesome gaming website called Plays.org (https://plays.org/).

  The website has such a retro vibe and makes me think of my childhood in the late 90s. They have 100s of games so I know you will find something you love, and it's all free!  One of my favorite games on there is 'Pac Rat', a game inspired by Pac -Man. I love eating cheese and running from cats! It totally relieves my stress and pumps up my adrenaline. You can play Pac Rat here- https://plays.org/pac-rat/. 

Screenshot from plays.org

 

     Plays.org also has a Bible coloring book. I might sound like a 27 year old big kid, but I love using it! It reminds me of my vacation bible school days when I was a child and it transports me into a simpler pre-pandemic time. I even shared it with children at my church and they love it. You can check it out here- https://plays.org/bible-coloring-book-for-kids/.

    I also enjoy their space adventure pinball game -  https://plays.org/space-adventure-pinball/. It reminds me of my middle school days when I would play pinball all the time. These games are such a stress reliever for me.

Check out their website today, it's so fun!

In Conclusion 

 There are many free ways to get yourself in a better mood. Just take a moment to step back from reality and transport yourself into a reality that will comfort you. I hope these tips can put a smile on your face! 

What are some things you do to relieve stress?

 Thanks for reading,

Stacie Cherill