5 Ways to Take a Break and Practice Self-Care | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Wellbeing

Self Care 101: 5 Ways To Take A Break

Grab a hot cup of tea and get cozy because your paper isn't due for a while!

214
Self Care 101: 5 Ways To Take A Break
Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash

I have always found myself constantly under stress, and I know I'm not the only one. When you're busy balancing things like school, work, internships, life, and so on, it can be pretty difficult to find the time to take a break away from everything. By the time I finally have a moment to take a break, it's usually to scroll through my phone (which isn't always a bad thing), but is it the best way to take a break? Probably not.

Here are my top 5 ways to take a break and relieve stress:

1) Low impact exercises like walking or stretching

Giphy

Walking is a great way to take a break and clear your head when you're stressed. Getting out into can also decrease the risk of depression and it's free. If you're not a huge fan of walking taking time to stretch can be beneficial. Incorporating light stretching into your daily routine will help relieve any tension you may have and can be done almost everywhere. In the long term, you'll find your stress hormones will decrease too.

2) Treat yourself and your skin with your favorite skin care items

Giphy

I am guilty of not taking care of my skin enough. As I grow older I find it has become more important for me to take care of it, not because of vanity, but because when you look good, you feel good. Plus, when you don't have enough time in the day to take a break going through, your skin care routine can be very therapeutic. I start out with my basic cleansing and toning, but my favorite part is using face masks! While I wait for the mask to work its magic, I like to grab a book and drink some tea. You can also take this time to meditate, listen to music, or talk to a loved one. Anything to get you feeling relaxed!

3) Take a nap

Giphy

Have you ever had a billion things on your plate and you don't know where exactly to start, so you end up taking a nap instead? I love taking naps, and it's one of my favorite ways to prevent from being burnt out. Whenever I'm stressed and have some extra time on my hands, I always take a nap for about 15 minutes to a few hours. I find that when I wake up, my head is a bit clear, and I understand how I should prioritize my next few things I need to get done. I'm also a little less exhausted after taking a nap, as it is helping me to have a bit more energy to get things done.

4) Laugh!

Giphy

I feel like we with all the hustle and bustle going on in our everyday lives, we forget to take a moment to just laugh! Laughter is one of the best remedies to relieve stress since it relaxes your nervous system. Studies have also found laughter has helped patients with a variety of illness. I love finding a good meme or reliving my favorite moments with my friends to laugh about whenever I need a quick break from life.

5) Finally, get cozy by adopting the art of hygge (pronounced hoo-gah)

Giphy

Hygge is the Danish word translating to the feeling of being cozy and content through the enjoyment of the little things in life. Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of "The Little Book of Hygge" says, "You know hygge when you feel it. It is when you are cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one or sharing comfort food with your closest friends. It is those crisp blue mornings when the light through your window is just right." What better way to take a break and relieve stress than by wearing sweatpants surrounded by candles and eating your favorite chocolate cake with your favorite people. From the man who researches what makes people happy

Find out more about the concept of hygge and where to find "The Little Book of Hygge" here.

With all our priorities we tend to get caught up in stressful situations or become at risk of being burnt out. Whether it is taking a minute to play your favorite game or calling a loved one, I hope this reminds you to take a moment to take a break.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190471
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15053
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457970
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26696
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments