I know all too well what it feels like to be wound up as an introvert, and because of that, I’ve really come to value and put effort into learning how to calm myself down (and stay that way).
Whether you’re dealing with stress, anger, tension, irritation, or another negative emotion, I’ve put together fifteen activities that always help me calm down. Hopefully, they can do the same for you!
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Additionally, I am not a psychologist, doctor, or medical professional. I’m just someone who found the following tips helpful, so I wanted to share them.
1) Take a walk
Walking is a good way to get yourself moving and get yourself outside without having to work too hard. It also allows you some physical separation from whatever it is that may be causing you some stress.
2) Meditate
Meditation can help you reframe your thoughts, change your perspective, and calm your nerves/stress/anger/etc.
A great tool for guided meditation is the Headspace app. You can get ten ten-minute meditations for free, or sign up for a paid subscription. I haven’t used the subscription myself, but one of my friends cannot say enough wonderful things about it. She says it’s helped keep her calm at her stressful job and it’s proven to have meditations for pretty much any occasion.
3) Yoga
Yoga is a great tool to help you calm down! There are classes specifically designed to help calm your stress and tension, and to help your breathing.
Additionally, I went through a period of my life where I was wound up all the time. And it was a yoga program that helped me get things under control.
If you want to read more about the yoga program that changed my life, you can check that out here!
4) Watch a comfort show
Watching a TV show that you know and love can totally help you calm down. Shows that you’ve seen time and time again give you familiarity and predictability that can do wonders when you’re wound up.
Personally, I keep a list of shows and episodes that never fail to calm down me down. When I feel like I need to escape to a familiar world, I pull out my list. The fact that I don’t have to over think, makes it much easier to dive in.
5) Create a calm environment
Stress, tension, and other heightened emotional states typically come from situations we can’t control. Because of that, I always find it comforting to control what I can. And one thing I can control is the environment I live in.
Create an environment that comforts and calms you. This can include low lighting, quiet calm music, and lots of blankets and pillows–or anything else you find comforting.
The act of creating this space will likely help you calm down just as much as spending time in it will.
6) Limit sensory stimulation
Bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and other sensory stimulation is most likely only going to add to your heightened state. And it’s a big reason why the point above encourages low lighting and quiet music. Even if you haven’t created a calm environment, you can still turn off overhead lights in favor of lamps and candles and turn the volume down on the TV.
PS– Fairy lights and salt rock lamps are my favorite low-simulation lighting.
7) Blow bubbles
Yes, seriously. I came across this tip in this article while I was doing research on how to sleep better. When you think about it, it makes sense.
To blow a bubble, you first have to take a slow deep breath in, then release it slowly to build the bubble with out popping it. This helps slow your breathing, which can help calm you down.
8) Plug in your headphones
I can’t speak for everyone, but it seems to me that half the cause of stress/tension/problems comes from outside sources. Give yourself a chance to detach from the world (and by extension your problems) but listening to some of your favorite music. You can even make a calming playlist so it’s ready when you need it!
9) Exercise
If you’ve got excess energy to burn off, exercise can help with that. In this case, I’m referring to something more intense than walking and yoga (though, those are both forms of exercise I swear by). Sometimes when you’re carrying excess energy, you need to really get your heart going to get through it.
If you find you can’t even calm down enough to sit still, consider going for a run, spending time with a punching bag, or any other more intense physical activity you enjoy.
10) Address festering issues
If there is a particular source of you stress, whether it be a person or situation, do what you can to address the issue. This may mean letting someone know they’ve done something to upset you or finally calling the cable company to resolve that bill discrepancy.
Regardless of the outcome, you’re likely to be more calm once you’re no longer carrying the unresolved issue around.
11) Let go of what you can’t control
There are so many issues and situations we can’t control. Like unexpected traffic, other peoples opinions of you, and appointments and plans being canceled on you. If stressing about these things won’t change the outcome, do what you can to let the stress go.
Instead, focus on what you can control. Like calling your boss to let them know you’ll be late, doing your best to make choices that make you happy with yourself, and rescheduling your cancelations for another time.
12) Make lists and plans
And since there’s a lot you can’t control, consider making lists and plans for what you can control. For instance, you can’t control if your job is a source of stress because your boss is a micromanager.
However, you can control if you continue to work for your boss. So, make a plan to get a new job. Include all the steps it will take to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Then put your plan into motion.
13) Use a diffuser
Essential oils–lavender in particular–can be very calming. Pick up an inexpensive diffuser and some oils and put them in the places you’re the most stressed, or the places you aim to be calmer in.
I personally own this inexpressive diffuser and this set of essential oils. They totally get the job done.
14) Sleep
Everything is worse when you’re tired. Sleep in and of itself may not fix your problems, but it will help you be more equipped to handle them. If you’re over-exhausted, don’t try to solve a problem or overthink a situation. You’re far likely to make the situation worse in this state (and yes, I’m totally speaking from experience).
Instead, get some rest, and revisit the problem later. I can’t tell you how often I’ve gone to sleep seriously stressing, only to wake up and find that: 1) The problem isn’t as bad as I thought it was–my tired brain had just exaggerated the situation. And 2) the solution is a lot easier to work out when I’m rested and sharp.
15) Drop non-essential tasks
Regardless of your source of stress, having tasks on your to-do list in the middle of a stressful situation only compounds the problem–whether your list is related to your stress or not.
One way to help yourself calm down is to take some tasks off your plate. This can mean getting rid of non-essential takes all together or delegating them to someone else.
For instance, you may need to run the vacuum, but if you’re not expecting company, that’s not really a task you need to worry about ASAP. Put it on the back burner for now, and worry about it when things have calmed down. And if you are expecting company, see if you can delegate that task to a family member, friend, or (if possible) a cleaning service.
Sound off: What helps you calm down? Tell us about it in the comments!