Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed? Try A Few Joy Boosters

We all need a few ways to release stress, add some joy, and re-energize ourselves.  Here are some of my favorites:

Add joyful movement:  When you get up in the morning, thank your body.  Sometimes that’s not easy when you feel a few aches and pains.  Still, appreciate your body because it’s continually regenerating billions of cells at any moment.  So, stretch your body and release endorphins–those feel good chemicals! Daily exercise will increase the quality of your life and your feeling of wellbeing. Include movement that you enjoy like walking, running, Zumba, Yoga, or NIA, which is like dancing Yoga.

Create a Zen Den:  Find a place where you can hide out when stressed. Disappear there for a few minutes to chill out with a cozy chair.   Surround yourself with whatever you love. These can be beautiful objects, music, and maybe add aroma therapy with a diffuser.  Even in your office at work, add a soft lamp and other things that bring calm.  Remember to walk away from your desk and stretch out the stress and add some deep breathing for calm.

Have some Fun!  Laughter is one of the best remedies to stress.   A burst of laughter can get the blood flowing and boost your immune system.  Laughter releases endorphins that help you to feel better and have a positive attitude. Believe it or not, there’s a practice called “Laughing Yoga,” that is meant to boost joy and healing.  I teach this in my workshops and groups.  Click here to learn more about How to Ignite A Success Mindset.

Eat healthier:  Ever notice how you feel, when you eat too much junk food?  The next day you feel sluggish and not very energetic.  When you eat healthier, the opposite is true.  Feeding your body lots of fresh veggies and fruit, protein smoothies and wholesome foods, helps you feel more energized.

Enjoy sipping green tea:  Green tea is a source of L-Theanine, a chemical that is great at relieving stress and anger.  Some studies say it can also boost your metabolism.

Treat yourself to a mini-massage. Rub some lotion on your hands and start massaging the muscles in your hands using your thumbs to help get rid of stress. You may also include your shoulders, neck and scalp.  This will get your energy flowing with a sense of well-being.

Talk to a friend: Create a support system.  When something is bothering you, share your feelings with a friend. Vent to a close family member or call a close friend.  In person or over the phone is so much better than venting and texting.  You will feel so much better afterwards.

Daydream and visualize:  Let go of your stress by imagining something that makes you happy or something that you want to create in your life. Use your imagination and travel anywhere that makes you feel peaceful and serene.  Or imagine your life a year from now, and what you want to create.  Visualizing will boost your mood and lower blood pressure.  It will also help bring more of what you want in your life.

Remember these joy boosters to create the best mindset! If you like this blog post, please share it with your friends.  And let me know in the comments below some of your favorite joy boosters!