Do you ever have those days where you wish you could just collapse into bed and wallow in your own self-pity because you're nothing but overwhelmed with work, school, or your social circle? Or perhaps you wish you had more time to spend on your favorite things?
If so, I completely understand! With a calendar filled with tasks waiting to be finished and limited time, you start to feel anxious and hopeless. However, the key to get through the day with a positive mind-set is simply finding your perfect coping method for stress.
If you're currently feeling stressed about anything and everything, now is the opportunity to explore ways to reduce tension. And what better way to finding your anti-stress technique than placing your trust in the stars?
1. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Most days, you are such a social butterfly! You love to build new relationships, enjoy sharing your intellectual and original thoughts, and attending get-togethers. However, when dealing with stress, you make the mistake of vanishing for a while from the face of the earth, and tend to bottle everything up inside. You stop responding to phone calls or disconnect from social media.
Do not let yourself disappear! Rather, allot some time to get together with a group of friends and discover what mother nature has to offer. It could be as simple as taking a stroll through the park, or planning a group hiking trip. It's a way to relieve that inner tension and enhance your current connections, instead of secluding yourself with the misery.
2. Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
You are capable of the extraordinary (in other words, you're unbelievably talented!), yet so emotional and sensitive. You let your emotions get the best of you, and that impedes your work ethnic, leaving you with no motivation to put any effort into your work. Under über-stressful situations, you can be extremely indecisive of what the best decision to make is.
Through times like these, channel your inner artsy-fartsy and find a creative outlet! Whether it be through painting landscapes, making up a dance routine, or writing a personal narrative, you'll feel so much better afterwards and feel confident knowing you can do the impossible!
3. Aries (March 21 - April 19)
You are on the opposite end of the spectrum of Pisces... passionate, fierce, determined, and downright untamed! If you want something, you'll make sure you get it, regardless of the obstacles. When you get stressed, you find that the solution is needing to make some changes in your life. Your perfect de-stressing method? Taking risks.
Take a chance! Bored of your generic class schedule? Enroll in a class that you've never heard of before. Tired of the same order of coffee everyday? Try a new flavor! When it comes to risk-taking, the possibilities are endless for you, Aries! Go on a crazy adventure and feel the energy run through your system.
4. Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
You are one of the more practical signs... down-to-earth, reliable, and known for being incredibly stable, especially when it comes to finances. You are used to living a minimalist and routine-like lifestyle. Hence, you do not savor the moments of breaking routine when you're stressed.
This is the only sign I will encourage to break out of their comfort-zone. It's okay every once in a while to self-indulge, a.k.a. your biggest weakness. After a long day, go out to your favorite store and buy that dress you've been eyeing, or go on an expensive dinner date with yourself. Sometimes, rewarding yourself will encourage you to keep on chugging through difficult days.
5. Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
You never know what to expect from Gemini. As the sign of the twins, anticipate being faced with not one, but two personalities that fluctuate. Sometimes, they're in a happy-go-lucky kind of mood; amiable, energetic, and restless. When they're stressed, don't get on their bad side. You'll unleash the beast, due to them being easily irritable and quarrelsome.
Geminis, try your best to be calm and stay optimistic! Try to see the light at the end of the tunnel for each situation, and focus on the good, little details within the "bad", broad picture. Compliment a stranger's outfit. Volunteer at a senior living home for the day. Help your classmate understand a complex concept from class. The little acts of kindness you fulfill throughout the day will have an immense impact on you. You'll feel as if you've accomplished so much, and as a result, uplift your overall mood! You'll feel like a new and improved version of yourself!
6. Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
The most obscurely, kind-hearted of the signs! You are highly family/friend oriented, and hold a strong, sentimental bond with the ones dear to you. You also have a way to touch the hearts of others with your empathetic and wise character. With a chaotic schedule, you tend to lose direction in where you were headed initially, resulting in feeling homesick, and in need of some guidance in your life. Instead of usually helping those in need, this is a rare moment for you to reach out to your loved ones for some life assistance.
The people who know you best, and see the "spark" in you are the ones to reach out to. Calling your parents at home, or coordinating a group call on Skype with your BFFs will be your remedy for getting through the semester. They'll want to provide in return for all the times you've come to their rescue, and who knows? Maybe they'll provoke a moment of insight for you in terms of coping with your busy life.
7. Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Leo, you love to feed your pride and your ego, and being admired by others! You don't take failure, or even "no" for an answer. With stress, you find yourself drowning in all of your responsibilities and ultimately, leaving your position of being in the lime-light. Thus, you must find something that highlights your strengths in order to keep your inner "lion" content.
Pursue an activity that will help you rise to the pedestal. Run for a position in the Student Council, partake in a charity-based event on campus, or take a chance and rock that interview for a competitive internship. Whatever field it is that you excel in, go for it and bring your A-game! P.S. Don't take no for an answer!
8. Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
It still is an anomaly to me how you can compose yourself in EVERY situation: anger, sadness, frustration, confusion; the list goes on. You are reserved, and at the opposite end of the spectrum as your adjacent sign, Leo: you despise being the center of attention. When it comes to stress, it is time to be in-sync with your senses, and get in touch with your spiritual side.
The best way to reach that state of "zen" is by attending a yoga class, sitting in a group therapy session, or finding a playlist of serene, instrumental music on Spotify! With a soothing voice or melody playing in the background, or some inspirational speeches, you feel like yourself again by coming back to your senses after undergoing stress.
9. Libra (September 23 - October 22)
The most unpredictable of the signs. You are mysterious, stubborn, narcissistic, but on a lighter note-- are some of the smartest people you'll ever encounter. Your downside? For being such a diligent worker, you get worn out quickly, and need to rest as soon as possible. On days where you feel like you gave all your time, effort, and energy, it's crucial that you give yourself a "day-off" to re-coop.
Yes, I am saying that to de-stress, you should start a new series on Netflix and watch it all day, with some snacks on the side. Lay in bed or sleep in all day! Finish that book series on your night stand you haven't gotten your hand on. In other words, a lazy day is a priority on a Libra's list when feeling stressed.
10. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
You are vibrant, loyal, independent, and overall, a tease! You love to be busy with doing what you love, and loving what you do. You keep your promises when put on the spot, and make sure that you can have time for your goals on your to-do list too. You are often involved in your school, work, and home life that you forget about the one piece of your life that you've been missing, yet thrive in: love!
Sure, you are independent. But when you're stressed, sometimes you wish there would be someone there to comfort you, and reassure that things will turn out to be just fine. Your remedy after a week of pure stress? A GNO! Pull that dress you haven't worn in a while out of your closet, and bring on the flirt at a party, club, or any social gathering. Put all your troubles off to another day; "a little party never killed nobody"! Let loose!
11. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
You are extroverted, philosophical, and enthusiastic about life, all day, everyday! Out of all twelve signs, you are by-far the most adventurous! Frequently, you find yourself pondering on the meaning on life, and striving to seek an answer for it. When experiencing stress, you feel like you'll never find the answer to the "big question". Do you know what this all calls for?
A vacation! Drop everything instantly, and drive around aimlessly. Buy a plane ticket to a foreign land. Make plans to go somewhere to clear your head of the irrelevance. Don't think of the future, but rather live in the "now"! Fall in love with the wanderlust and expose yourself to new cultures, food, or art with your open mind. By doing so, you'll be one step closer to finding answers to your inquiries.
12. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Last, but certainly not least! Capricorns are some of the most ambitious, disciplined, and adamant people you'll ever meet. They are ardent in everything they do, and only want the best for the future. In fact, they're always thinking about the future. Their biggest flaw? They have the hardest time saying no to things, and with an aspiration to put everything on their plate, it can be unfathomably stressful. With so many things to remember floating around in your mind, the way to de-stress and make sure you are on top of things is to stay organized.
Invest in a planner to manage your time wisely to avoid feelings of anxiousness! It will become your all-time best friend! In case you don't have your planner at hand, find a plan B for staying organized, aside from writing it all down. Color-code with highlighters, set reminders on your phone, put sticky notes in obvious places you always find yourself in; whatever it takes, you'll never be in despair or forget all things you need to do from day-to-day. You'll be able reach for all your vast aspirations you've been longing to aim for.