This post was originally published in June 2018. It has been updated with the best and most current stress relief tips for when life feels too hard.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life and it brings you to the point of tears, you’re not alone.
Sometimes I just wake up in the morning and the first thing I think is, “can I just go back to sleep now and stay there forever?“ It’s a sucky mentality, and I try to erase it every way I know how, but the reality is that there are days where stress overwhelms me and it’s really challenging to handle. I’ve mentioned before that I deal with pretty severe anxiety – and I know I’m not the only one.
If you’re interested in getting some game-changing, tried-and-true stress relief tips, keep on reading!
related posts
6 Spotify Playlists to Have on in the Background // How to Have a Better Night’s Sleep // What I Learned After 60 Consecutive Days of Yoga
6 Stress Relief Tips for When Life Feels Too Hard
Work Out
I’m not a fitness person. Like, at all. In fact, until this year, I was never able to maintain a routine that kept me active in any way. This has a lot to do with my chronic illness. However, I began to practice yoga every single day in 2022. It’s completely changed my life and now, I can’t visualize a day without it. If you’re curious about getting started with something that doesn’t necessarily bring on heavy breathing, hard sweating, or pain the next day… I suggest yoga! But working out looks different for everyone. If you do thrive with a good sweat sesh, I say go for it! And if “working out” causes more panic in your mind, maybe just try a little dance party. Trick your mind into activity while also just having a good time!
Listen to Calming Music
Music has always benefitted me. There are a few playlists I circle through on Spotify when I’m feeling overwhelmed. My number one suggestion is to stay away from “sad” music. Don’t pull up Driver’s License or put on an Adele album. Instead, pick between something soothing or a mood-booster that will make you want to dance. I’m a sucker for the “Mood Booster” or “Upbeat Mix” curated playlists on Spotify. Or I’ll just shuffle one of my favorite albums full of showtunes!
Read a Book
Stay away from self-help and non-fiction. Read something fantastical or romantic – something that takes you to a far away place. Sure, it’s an escape from your problems, but sometimes an escape is all it takes to make your life feel a little less complicated. I’m a big fan of adorable romcoms when I’m feeling blue. And if I just can’t deal with sappiness, I usually reach for magical realism. Talk about a wild escape!
Talk it Out
Text or call a friend who you know really cares about you. Tell them you’re having a hard day. It might not make everything better, but it’ll be nice to know you’re not carrying it alone. Or, if you don’t want to spend time in the moment but you desire communication, write a letter! It sounds old-fashioned, sure, but it can be nice to just sit down with pen and paper and you know that you’ll also make someone else’s day too!
Meditate
I’ve mentioned the Headspace app on a few occasions. This has been really beneficial for me, personally. There’s literally a pack called “Managing Anxiety” and another one specifically for “Stress,” so if you’re feeling extra overwhelmed, try meditating twice (or more) in one day. Some of them are only 3 minutes long, so you’ve certainly got time. I’ll often pause my work just to have a moment of mindfulness at my desk. It can turn my entire day around!
Cute Animal Videos
Sure, it might sound silly, but there have been days where I’m literally in tears because of all the stress, but the second my husband sends me a video of kittens mewing or a puppy rolling down a hill, there’s a smile on my face. It’s hard to resist feeling good when you’re watching adorable animals. There are plenty on YouTube and you can also find them on Instagram or TikTok!
Remind yourself that you are not alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life and it brings you to the point of tears, you’re not alone. If the stress makes you just want to sleep forever, you’re not alone. These tips are because I’m with you and experience stress and anxiety on a regular basis. I’m no doctor, but these ways to relieve stress have proven helpful in times of dire need. However, if you’re in a place where these tips are just not cutting it, always seek professional help (that’s been life-changing for me as well)!
How do you find ways to combat stress?
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Rach says
Your post could not have come in a more perfect timing! Thank you for the tips! I think I might signup for a good workout class!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
JoJo says
I love your top, shoes, and bag!! So cute. I always feel better after working out. Doesn’t fix everything, but definitely puts my mind at ease.
Anna English says
I always try to squeeze in a quick gym session when I’m stressed! It really does help.
Rach says
Your post could not have come in a more perfect timing! Thank you for the tips! I think I might signup for a good workout class!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Kim says
These are all such great tips and I love the cute animals one! My dogs always make me feel better! Love that top too gf!
xoxo,
Kim
JoJo says
I love your top, shoes, and bag!! So cute. I always feel better after working out. Doesn’t fix everything, but definitely puts my mind at ease.
Kim says
These are all such great tips and I love the cute animals one! My dogs always make me feel better! Love that top too gf!
xoxo,
Kim
Kileen says
These are really awesome tips babe. I try working out and meditating for this reason, it relieves stress and allows me to reset!
Kileen
cute & little
Helen says
I’m getting more and more of those days where I just want to do nothing but as a new mum that also works for herself – I’m struggling to find the time to just relax!!
Such great tips babe and I’m definitely a fan of exercising when I’m stressed or anxious- those endorphins are amazing 😉
Helen xx
https://helenchik.com
Kileen says
These are really awesome tips babe. I try working out and meditating for this reason, it relieves stress and allows me to reset!
Kileen
cute & little
Prachi says
Thank you for sharing such great tips! They are really helpful
Tonya Tardiff says
These are great tips! I’ll have to check out those Spotify playlists.
sarah lindner says
I love a book and some calming music, great tips!
Xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.TheHouseOfSequins.com
Jessica says
Whenever I am stressed out I try to go to bed early. Sometimes extra sleep is all I need to relax.
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
adriana says
Meditating always helps! These are great tips – sometimes you really just need a minute to sit back and breathe!
Mollie says
First of all, you look amazing!! Second of all, thank you for sharing these tips. For me, working out is the only thing that helps with stress. It’s a double edged sword though, because sometimes I’m so stressed / overwhelmed the last thing I want to do is head to the gym! But it really is such a great way to let off steam.
xx Mollie
Candace says
I actually saw a cute duckling video on facebook this morning and it made me smile. A little bit of cuteness always goes a long way!
Taylor Mobley says
I am a big reader so this is a big one for me!
roxy says
I love the suggestion to watch cute animal videos! I also shop as stress relief, lol. No shame in my game!
kelly Fordon says
So many great tips, for me exercise, is a true lifesaver and really helps alleviate stress!
Birdie Shootsv
Jasmine Vargas says
This is going to find silly (probably) but for me when I have to relief stress, I love to play with makeup OR go shopping lol
Stacey says
I’m so glad you sent me the link to this post since it already is giving me ideas on how I can turn things around. I actually read but it’s always been with self-help books which might be the problem. I have a few other books about history and fiction so I’ll need to give those a try and see what happens. I’ve also been trying to add music back into my life. Itst weird because it’s a big part of our lives but sometimes we forget dancing and singing along helps so much with our happiness. Anyways thanks again for being such a sweetheart to me, I absolutely appreciate it! Btw, you look so beautiful in these photos as well ❤️
Anna English says
I always try to squeeze in a quick gym session when I’m stressed! It really does help.
Prachi says
Thank you for sharing such great tips! They are really helpful
sarah lindner says
I love a book and some calming music, great tips!
Xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.TheHouseOfSequins.com
Tonya Tardiff says
These are great tips! I’ll have to check out those Spotify playlists.
Jessica says
Whenever I am stressed out I try to go to bed early. Sometimes extra sleep is all I need to relax.
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Jodie says
These are all things I find helpful when I’m feeling stressed. Blogging has also been a great stress-reliever for me to when I’m feeling anxious. Thanks for sharing!
Caroline says
I love these tips so much! I especially love that you have mentioned yoga under the exercise heading. Exercise does make me panic a bit, but I really want to get into yoga properly. It really helps endometriosis for me, but I want to try and do it daily as you said. A romance book is also one of my favourite ways to relieve stress 🙂 x
I'm All Booked Up says
reading a book really helps us, so does listening to music.
Wendy says
I think we all get overwhelmed once in a while. These tips are great! thanks for sharing
Mind Beauty Simplicity says
this post showed up on the perfect day – because i NEEDED to read this. ugh, life has just been so overwhelming & I need to prioritize self care. thanks for the wonderful tips here.
Lover of Romance says
These are such great tips and always good to learn how to relax more…,you will love longer and enjoy life way more! Exercise and Reading works great for me.
Lizzie says
Thank you for sharing these tips! I do a lot of these as well and they definitely do help. Yoga is AMAZING!! I’m glad that you’ve been doing more of it this year. I used to do it everyday (twice a day at times) and I always felt incredible. Like you, I had some health issues that make working out more difficult but I’m finally getting back into it and I couldn’t be more excited!!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com