Cozy ways to help you manage your stress and anxiety
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Cozy Fireplace
Winter and darker days are upon us. Which means that sometimes the way we experience stress and anxiety might be different than other times of the year. Just because it might feel a little different, does not mean that we can’t handle it or cannot cope with it. It just means we may have to create a new approach to taking care of ourselves.
With the changes in seasons, it is important to have a variety of coping skills - the more skills we have the better! Here are some cozy ideas on what to do to reduce stress and anxiety during this time of year.
Here are some fun, cozy ideas on how to handle stress and anxiety. I hope you enjoy and try these ideas.
Enjoy a cozy video game- Cozy video games are meant to let you just play, enjoy the scenery, spend time on easier tasks and take things a little slower than normal video games. These games give you some time to be mindful , are not meant to overwhelming, let you enjoy being in the game and don’t lead to worrying about having to complete a quick and pressured goal/task like in other games. There are all types of games for everyone, but Cozy games might be what you need to get your mind of your stresses and worries and they can let you practice a little mindfulness. Cozy video games can be things like The Sims, Animal Crossing or like my latest personal favorite, Hogwarts Legacy for the Nintendo Switch.
Create a tea or coffee ceremony moment. I don’t know why but when it gets chillier, nothing helps me feel cozier and calmer than a warm drink. After a long day at work or if you’ve just been people-ing for too long out of the home, coming home to a warm drink just brings on the relaxation. You may decide to swing by a local Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts (they have some really delicious drinks) or you may decide to brew your own. Make an event of it! Light a candle, find your favorite spot to sit on and get your blanket or favorite cozy pajama set ready to have your drink. Pick your favorite mug or tea cup ( from a cute floral tea set maybe?), get your Keurig or electric kettle ready ( I bought this last winter and it is such a time saver. You just add the water, plug it in and it heats up without you having to wait for it and watch it boil. It lets you know when it’s ready and you don’t have to worry about it burning your pot) and pick and make your drink of choice. If you like tea, some calming teas may be chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, passionflower or whatever else you enjoy ( I like cinnamon tea because it reminds me of my grandmother and it is delicious). Or if you like your coffee, make it however you like( might decaf be an option if you can’t sleep ? ), add some milk or sweetener and take in that scent. Whatever you like to drink, make sure it’s warm and cozy.
Take a warm bath or shower and use all the spa products you might have. A warm bath or shower is going to help release that tension and stress, but taking the time to use your favorite bath or spa products will help you slow down and make you feel extra cared for. Have you been meaning to try out a new exfoliator? Grab it. Have you been wanting to soak in the tub and try a bath bomb ( even if it’s a little tiny- try it?) Have you been wanting to try bath oils or try to infuse some herbs into your shower- now is the time to do it. After you are done, don’t forget to grab your favorite body lotion and slather that on while your skin is still moist. Take your time and really massage your skin and think of releasing that stress or tension from the day. Don’t forget to try a sheet or clay mask and then color or watch a show for few moments while that sheet or clay mask times out. Spa time is you time and it is meant to help you slow down a little. Really enjoy!
Read a YA novel or watch a show based on a YA novel. In my work, I do a lot of serious and academic reading, but sometimes I don’t want to think about anything serious. I just want to get lost in a fun, easy to read story. This is where YA novels come in. Young Adult novels are not too serious or complex. They are a reminder of simpler times for me and also a reminder of how exciting and new things are when you are teenager. The situations are not too adult and I really enjoy a love story ( remember what it was like to have a crush or fall in love as a teen? Makes your heart skip a beat doesn’t it?) So… cuddling up with a good YA story may be something that you can do to destress and let you rest enough to come back to a stressful situation later. Some things to try? Some of my favorites on Netflix include “To All the Boys I have Loved Before” and “The Kissing Booth” and some things to read are Fat Chance Charlie Vega (It is an Editor’s Pick on Amazon) and Oye. These are coming of age stories with female characters who are just trying to figure out life in an authentic way that are sure to inspire you while also letting you get some mental rest and be invested in someone else’s life and story for a change. Get that chair or bed ready and pop into your favorite story today!
Do something creative or artistic cozy style. Have you been wanting to write poetry, junk journal, write letters on actual stationary, organize your pictures, play with legos, color, paint or just find a new way to a make a healthier type of cakes and cookies, etc ? Grab all your needed supplies and open yourself up to the feeling of being in a moment of total contentment or moments that create all the smiles. Being at home doesn’t always have to be about being busy and doing chores. You can engage in something creative or artistic and enjoy being in your own personal space. If for some reason you don’t get much privacy at home, spend some time in your local library or sit at the park with some of your supplies and enjoy some of the peace and quiet that those places can give you. Sometimes I love spending time at my local Barnes and Noble and even though I might not buy anything, I love the feeling of being in a beautiful place with interesting things to look at while the scent of coffee or baked goods permeate the air. I love book stores and there is just something about being in those places that brings my heart joy. Things that bring your heart happiness, joy or smiles are wonderful coping tools and activities.
Make your bed or a couch extra cozy and lie there or take a much needed nap. Put on your favorite sweats, pajamas, socks or soft outfit and find a favorite blanket or Snuggie( remember those? I have a Harry Potter snuggie. I also have an oversized fleece hoodie that reaches my knees and feels like a blanket, so that works too). Make sure your sheets are clean ( if it’s been a while, here is your reminder to change them!) and make sure the temperature in your space is comfy. Plump those pillows and take a much needed rest or nap. Put on some soft music or white noise, invite in deep rest and cover up. Welcome that nap and just enjoy a moment. A nap that of 30 minute increments seem to be the ones that benefit people the most as it seems to access the most beneficial sleep cycles and benefits ( an hour and half seems to work well for me). Try not to overdo it as you don’t want to be too tired and throw off your regular sleeping schedule.
Here are only a few ideas on cozy activities to help you destress and reduce anxiety this winter season. This list does not include all the cozy things, but I hope you consider some of these things and give them a try. If you happen to know of a few other great ideas, please share them below in the comments. I am sure other women are dying to hear ( or read about ) what others like you like to do to de stress Cozy Style!
Sending you all the CoZy Love and Well Wishes,