Things to Do to Relief Stress

Lately, I’ve been under a lot of stress, and my head felt overwhelmed in a way I couldn’t ignore. Because of that, I let this website go quiet for a little while. I needed to slow down and take care of myself first.

I’m back now, and writing again feels right. Writing has always been one of the ways I process, heal, and make sense of things. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can help others feel a little less alone in their own mental health journeys.

I want to be clear, though. I’m not a professional. I’m not here to diagnose or give medical advice. I’m just someone with a lot of lived experience, who reads, researches, reflects, and shares what has helped me along the way. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t.

For those who are new here, this blog is a mix of mental health reflections, relationship advice, witchy things that ground and inspire me, movie and series recommendations, simple recipes, and pieces of my everyday life living in Denmark. It’s personal, honest, and sometimes messy, but it’s always written with care.

If you’re here, I’m glad you found your way ♥ So now let’s talk about things I do to relieve stress.

Most of us live with stress every single day. Work, family, health issues, money, expectations, the constant mental noise… it adds up fast. And for some of us, stress isn’t just uncomfortable; it directly affects our health.

I know this firsthand. I have high blood pressure, and yes, I stress about stress. Constantly. I’m aware that worrying about it only makes things worse, but life doesn’t always pause just because our nervous system needs a break. Some things are out of our control. What is in our control is how we respond, how we pace ourselves, and how gently we treat our bodies and minds when things feel overwhelming.

This is my personal stress management “toolkit.” I don’t do all of these all the time. I rotate through them depending on how I feel, how much energy I have, and what I realistically can handle that day. Think of this as options, not obligations.

Some days I do several things from this list. Other days, I do almost nothing. Both are okay.

If even one of these helps you, that’s more than enough.

Sleep Helps the Nervous System.
Prioritizing rest is basic care, not a failure. Sleep allows your body to regulate stress hormones, blood pressure, and mood. When I sleep better, I cope better. Simple as that.
I try to go to bed early, but chronic back pain sometimes keeps me awake even when I do everything right. On those nights, rest still counts, even if sleep doesn’t come easily.

Eat food that makes you feel good.
No food shaming here. “Good” means what feels right in your body that day. Sometimes that’s nourishing, sometimes that’s comforting. Stress already takes enough from us. Eating shouldn’t be another battle.

Move Within Your Limits.
Exercise doesn’t have to be intense or performative. The gym isn’t for everyone. For me, long walks in nature with my dog calm my nervous system far more than structured workouts ever did. Find movement that leaves you feeling better afterward, not more depleted.

Water and heat help.
There’s something deeply regulating about water and warmth. I love warm baths, quiet showers, sitting near the sea, time in the sauna, and even putting my feet in cold water. It slows everything down and helps the body exhale.

Talk to someone safe.
A real conversation with someone who truly listens, without fixing or judging, can lower stress instantly. Feeling seen matters.

Write it out.
If you’re not ready to talk, write. Journaling helps unload thoughts that otherwise stay trapped in your head, looping endlessly.

Take breaks without guilt.
Five minutes with your eyes closed. A quiet moment focusing on your breath. An evening with no plans and no rushing. Rest doesn’t need to be earned.
When it all becomes overwhelming, I choose the couch, a snack, and something familiar to watch. No thinking required.

Limit stimulation.
Turn off notifications and give your mind a break. Watch a movie or series without scrolling, listen to music without interruptions, or simply sit in silence. Our nervous systems weren’t designed to be “on” all the time.

Nature works.
Trees, sun, fresh air, sunsets, stargazing. Nature has a way of reminding us that the world is bigger than our worries ♥︎

Music, creativity, and small pleasures count.
Music that soothes you. Drawing or coloring without caring if it’s “good.” Baking just because you want to. Dancing like no one is watching. These things aren’t silly. They help regulate the nervous system.

Physical comfort matters.
Hugs. Massages. Stretching. Holding a pet. Touch is grounding and calming.

Check in with yourself honestly.
Ask: “What do I actually need today?” Then try to honor that, even in a small way. Especially when life feels out of control.

Sometimes stress doesn’t come from one big thing, but from many small pressures piling up over time. That’s why small acts of care actually matter.

Stress will never disappear completely. And pretending it will only add more pressure. You can do everything “right” and still feel stressed. That doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re human.

But learning to notice stress earlier, respect your limits, and respond with care can make a real difference over time.

You don’t need to do everything.
You just need to do something.
And that is enough ♥