13 ways to rest in everyday life

B and I have written lots of posts on how to fill up time, to put it bluntly. From books to read to things to do to videos to watch, we've got dozens of ideas to help you stay busy. But what if that is not what you need today? What if what you really need is solutions to help you breathe, relax, and care for yourself in the middle of your busyness? That's what today's post is all about. 

​Here are creative ideas and unique solutions to help you find rest and peace in everyday life. Whether you want to be better at taking care of yourself, are looking for tips to help you avoid becoming stressed, or need tools to help you cope with the chaos, I hope that you will find good ideas in this list! 

1. Make Time
When you decide to add something to your routine, actually commit to doing it, and establish when, where, and for how long you will do that thing. Then, give yourself some accountability. You could leave a reminder on your mirror, add it to your to-do list, create a notification in your phone, or ask a friend to keep you accountable. If you don't make time, commit, and come up with a way to remind yourself and stay on track, then your good intentions won't matter and you probably won't make any progress. 

2. Drink Water
Staying hydrated is literally essential for life. However, dehydration can contribute to tiredness. Be kind to your body and grab an extra glass of ice-cold water - fresh fruit infusion optional. :) 

3. Step-Up Your Selfcare
Try doing one thing every day to take care of your body. Maybe it's a 1-minute hand massage, putting on some lip balm, or cleansing your face. Whatever you choose to do with your one minute, nurturing your body is relaxing and can help you feel prepared to face the day (or help you unwind after a difficult day).

4. Use a To-Do List
Did you know that trying to mentally keep lists of tasks in your brain can make you more stressed and make it harder for you to concentrate on the task at hand? Writing down tasks on a paper to-do list or in a to-do list app can make you feel more relaxed, it can make your list seem more achievable, and it can ensure that things actually get done, so you aren't scrambling to finish an assignment minutes before it is due.

5. Eat Healthy Snacks
While sweets are tempting, healthy snacks containing fruits, vegetables, and protein are so much better for your body (and for your mind, too)! Eating a balanced diet can give you the nourishment you need to work hard. For dozens of awesome snack ideas, make sure to check out our “Healthy(ish) Snacks” Pinterest board here!

6. Make Physical Space
Cluttered bedrooms aren’t fun. They can stress your brain and make it more difficult to find what you need (and you might feel these effects more severely if you are already stressed). While this does take extra time out of your day, consider trying our 7-day declutter challenge. It helps free up physical - and mental - space so that you can truly breathe! 

7. Look for Reasons to be Joyful
If you are in the middle of chaos or hardship, you probably don't feel much like finding joy. However, it is super important - especially when you’re going through something difficult. Every night before bed, you could try writing down something good that happened that day in a journal or joy jar. Being grateful is a great way to combat fear, anger, and comparison!

8. Stretch/Exercise
Even if you aren’t an exercise master, your body and brain still love exercise! No time for a long workout? No problem! Try a 3-5 minute series of stretches and deep breaths before a test or when you are feeling stressed. Tension eliminated! 

9. Breathe
You’ve probably heard it all your life, but it really is true: deep breathing has been rumoured to relieve stress and anxiety and increase energy. They are INCREDIBLE for your body and mind (it’s like a mini vacation)!  Try concentrating on taking 5 or 10 slow, deep breaths in a row. Maybe you could even set a reminder on your device to remind you to take a series of breaths 3-5 times a day!

10. Music!
I absolutely love worship music. From hymns to energetic praise songs, I find that listening to (and singing!) God-glorifying tunes can turn my mood around and give me the fresh perspective I need. The next time you feel stressed, try turning on some great music and watch the transformation happen! 

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11. Vacation!
Take a mini-vacation through photos! Whether you have a favorite vacay destination (um, beach please!) or just love beautiful scenery, looking at relaxing images may just help relax you! Try creating a vision board with photos from magazines, or (with parent permission) set up a Pinterest board to collect those ideas

12. Pray
Praying is the most powerful thing any Christian can do, in any circumstance! When you feel overwhelmed with life, pray and ask God for help. Even if you don't feel like he responds to you, he truly does hear your prayers!

13. Make Changes
Lastly, if you still feel overwhelmed, consider talking with your parents about what you can cut back or change. Maybe it's time to create a new daily schedule, to adjust your responsibilities, or to choose to cut back on some activities you're involved in. Make sure to discuss any concerns you have with your mom and/or dad so that you can live a balanced and healthy life! 


Thanks for reading! 
Love,
A