15 Ways to Take a Break

Here are 15 ways to relax and enjoy a nice break when you're feeling stressed! 

1. Go out on a Run - Running is a rather unpopular way to take a break. However, studies show that exercise increases the concentration of norepinephrine which helps the brain to moderate the level of stress and anxiety.                                                                                                                                                                      
2. Take a Long Bath - It has been found that bathing results in less stress, tension, anger, hostility and depression; particularly hot baths help to transform the mood.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
3. Read your Favourite Book - Reading is an activity which helps us to get our minds off the stressor. Studies show that people who read later in life have a 32% low rate of declining mental health.                                                                                                     
4. Cook your Favourite Food - Cooking is a nice distraction and equally productive use of time. The scintillating aroma will definitely leave your mouth watering and instil self-esteem.                                                                                                                                                                                                       
5. Write a Small Poem/Doodle - “The best comes when we least expect it.” Giving ourselves impromptu breaks usually brings out a very creative side of ourselves. Doing an unplanned creative work will reflect the ideas of the unconscious mind and bring out something unexpected, yet beautiful.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
6. Put on Music and Dance - A lot of us are aware that dancing instantly boosts up our energy level and mood. If we sit to do a task or complete a job after our mood has reached its peak, we will definitely do more productive work in lesser time.                                                                                                                                                                     
7. Netflix and Chill - The most common way to take a break, especially for university students, is to just keep the study material aside and watch our favourite series on Netflix accompanied by a snack.                                                                                                                                                       
8. Long Talks with Best Friend - It is undeniable that our best friends are our best therapists. A long talk with our buddy is filled with giggles and definitely lightens our mood.                                                                                                                                                     
9. Take a Nap - “Sleep experts have found that daytime naps can improve many things: increase alertness, boost creativity, reduce stress, improve perception, stamina, motor skills and accuracy, enhance your sex life, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of heart attack, brighten your mood and boost memory” (Cooper, 2014).                                                                                                                                                       
10. Buy Some Flowers for Yourself - Sometimes the best way to make your mood feel lighter is by showing expressions of self-love.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
11. Sit in Nature - Exposure to nature gives us an opportunity to look back in life and sometimes fills us with nostalgia. It makes us reconsider our decisions and helps us to think more freely, without any interruption. Not only does it have emotional benefits, but also helps in physical well-being.                                                                                                                                                      
12. Turn off all Electronics - A very popular concept nowadays is to go on an ‘electronic fast’. By cutting ourselves off from social media, it provides us with more time to make meaningful social connections in-person and gives us a lot of free time to catch up with our hobbies. It also gives us time for introspection, leading to a better sleeping pattern.                                                                                                                                                       
13. Meditate - Contradicting the last point, there are apps which help us meditate and help us with anxiety. A few apps like ‘The Mindfulness App’, ‘Headspace’ and ‘Calm’ help us to relax and result in better sleep.                                                                                                                                                      
14. Cuddle with your Pet - It is astonishing how our pets understand when we are feeling low or need a break. Research also proves that when we cuddle, our body produces a hormone called oxytocin which helps us to deal with problems and stress.                                                                                                                                                      
15. Watch the Stars - One of the most calming and relaxing things to do is to watch the stars twinkling brightly at nighttime. We are able to dive into existentialist thoughts and do some deep thinking.

Reference:

Cooper, B. B. (2014, June 18). How Naps Affect Your Brain and Why You Should Have One Every Day. Retrieved from https://buffer.com/resources/how-naps-affect-your-brain-and-why-you-should-have-one-every-day

Shruti Bagmar

Shruti is a combination of half introvert and extrovert; cracking inappropriate jokes all the time. She loves trying different cuisines and dancing is her all time stress reliever. She is an aspiring psychologist who wants to work towards breaking the stigma and make a positive impact in others life. Instagram: @shrutiibagmar