Stress has become a part of our daily lives. From a competitive high school kid to a working adult, stress is prevalent in everyone’s life. Unlike years before, when being stressed was seen as an enemy of the infamous “hustle culture”, people have started to discuss stress factors and ways to relieve them.

For any adult, there are multiple factors to check off the list to live a problem-free life: 

• Maintaining good sleep cycles
• Eating healthy
• Exercising daily
• Grinding hard at work
• Getting the due promotion and hikes and bonus
• Taking care of parents, spouse, kids
• Paying the bills
• Giving back to the community
• Traveling with friends/family

But, oftentimes, the elements that are supposed to keep us away from impending troubles end up causing stress when we fail to keep up with them.

How do our everyday activities induce stress?

For example, if we decide to eat healthily but end up eating junk food, we start worrying about our eating habits. Also, if we intend to work hard and pull all-nighters at work to get that raise, we may become unhealthy and sleep-deprived. 

This could be a vicious loop, and we need to ensure that we are not overwhelmed by it. Thus, we must consciously identify when our mind slips into the loop; catch it right there, and indulge it in ways to relax.

10 easy ways to quickly refresh your mind 

Here are a few ways to relax, refresh, and rejuvenate your mind after a long, stressful day

1. Going for a walk

It’s necessary to stretch and get some fresh air every once in a while. It’s a tested method to get you moving, which releases endorphins to relax your mind. As you walk around looking at things and people around you, it helps you get a new perspective on things you are mulling over.

2. Exercising

It’s a powerful way to get your body moving while having a monotonous day. Exercise does not always have to involve going to the gym and spending at least an hour each day; it can be as simple as 10-minute jumping jacks or skipping at home. If you cannot find any equipment, you can still climb up and down the stairs. Any type of physical activity that makes you sweat will help pump blood and make you active.

3.Meditating

Meditating may not always mean chanting mantras in the group sessions you enrolled in. With the ease of mobile apps, guided meditation is just a click away and can be performed anywhere—even when you’re sitting through your bus ride. Meditating can help you increase mental awareness, which will help you catch yourself when your mind is slipping away. Closing your eyes for five minutes and breathing mindfully will help you connect with your body and regulate your emotional well-being.

4.Social media detox

Social media is a fun place to make friends and catch up with the latest trends. It is also a place that could deteriorate one’s mental health by invoking feelings of jealousy, envy, inferiority complex, imposter syndrome, and fear. Unfollowing people/pages that cause stress, turning off notifications, avoiding disturbing news, and generally reducing screen time will help you indulge in productive activities rather than mindless, infinite feed scrolling. 

5.Journaling

Journaling is a time-tested way to discover how far you have come and assess the situation you are currently in. If it’s difficult to document your entire day, start small with a to-do list in the morning and a gratitude list before going to 

bed. To-do lists are a foolproof method to declutter your mind and prioritize your activities. Therapists recommend gratitude journaling to focus on the good things and attract more goodness into life.

6.Playing sports

We say, “A sound mind in a sound body” and “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Any indoor/outdoor game will help you take your mind away from chaotic thoughts. This is why most office spaces have a recreational center with ping-pong tables and chess boards. Instead of always concentrating on winning, make sure to play just for the fun of it.

7.Power nap

A midday power nap that lasts between 20-30 minutes can help you improve your cognitive performance. However, waking up from a long nap can leave you tired and disrupt your sleep cycle. Short naps relax your brain and make you look forward to the rest of the day with a refreshed mind.

 8.Practicing self-care

Self-care refers to the time invested in improving your holistic well-being. It can be drinking enough water, taking a bubble bath, breathing slowly, cleaning your room, or making your bed. It also includes activities that spark joy or just get the job done (like doing your laundry). Self-care heals your mind and gives hope for the next day.

9. Hobbies 

Hobbies can be therapeutic and give you a creative outlet. Spending time every day solving crossword puzzles, coloring (for adults), reading books, watching feel-good movies, or listening to good music will help you calm an overwhelming mind

10.Spending time with friends/family

When you cannot get to do any of the things mentioned above, an easy way to unwind is to spend quality time with friends/family/pets/kids. Talking to another person makes you feel connected and helps get things off your chest.