PART III: Dealing With Emotions
Point 8: Take instant vacations.
Sometimes the best way to de-stress is to take your mind away to a more relaxing place.
Sometimes feelings become so overwhelming that we cram them all away in an imaginary box and think we’ll deal with them later. But later, there’s so much stuff in the box that there is too much to deal with. This can make your head feel as if it is spinning. Sometimes you get angry or frustrated without even knowing why. You just know there is too much stuff going on in your head. It's good to pick just one problem to work on and forget the rest for the moment. When we decide to deal with only one problem at a time, it’s much less scary to open the box.
Here are some ideas to release your thoughts or worries one at a time.
Sometimes the best way to de-stress is to take your mind away to a more relaxing place.
- Visualize. Have a favorite place where you can imagine yourself relaxing. The place should be beautiful and calm. When you’re stressed, sit down, lean back, take deep breaths, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in your calm place.
- Take time out for yourself. Everyone deserves time for themselves —a bath or something that allows time to think and de-stress. Try a warm bath with your ears just underwater. Listen to yourself take deep, slow breaths. Take your pulse and count as your heart rate goes down.
- Enjoy hobbies or creative art as an instant vacation.
- Look at the beauty around you and get pleasure from the small things you may have stopped noticing.
- Take mini-vacations. Sometimes we forget that the park around the corner is a great place to hang out. A walk outside can be a mini vacation if you choose to forget your worries.
- Reading a good book is an escape from reality. You have to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells—you are somewhere else for a while.
Sometimes feelings become so overwhelming that we cram them all away in an imaginary box and think we’ll deal with them later. But later, there’s so much stuff in the box that there is too much to deal with. This can make your head feel as if it is spinning. Sometimes you get angry or frustrated without even knowing why. You just know there is too much stuff going on in your head. It's good to pick just one problem to work on and forget the rest for the moment. When we decide to deal with only one problem at a time, it’s much less scary to open the box.
Here are some ideas to release your thoughts or worries one at a time.
- Creativity. People who have a way to express themselves don’t need to hold it inside. Creative outlets like art, music, poetry, singing, dance, and rap are powerful ways to let your feelings out.
- Talking. Every young person deserves a responsible adult to talk to and some friends to trust. Hopefully, you can talk to your parents. If you do not want to tell your parents everything, make sure to find an adult who'll listen and whom you can ask for advice.
- Journaling. Write it out!
- Prayer. Many young people find prayer or meditation helpful.
- Laughing or crying. Give yourself permission to feel your emotions fully.