5 Fun Ways to Lower Your Stress Level

1. The Whatever Game

Play the “whatever happens is OK” game. No matter what is going on, think of it as being perfect. Everything is unfolding as it should. Some people believe life works this way all the time, but you can play the game even if you believe otherwise.

Did you hit another red light? It is as it should be. Someone at the office took the last cup of coffee and did not start a fresh pot? Perfect, now you can do it. The kids are whiny? The universe unfolds in its noisy wisdom.

By playing this game, you stop yourself from taking everything personally. It allows you to detach from the stress of needing things to go well, or go your way, or not get in your way.

2. For the Birds

Keep a CD or music file of bird songs to play when you are getting tense. Bird songs are relaxing and if you have cats, they will love it too. You can get recordings with or without background music; works either way. This may also give your mood a lift.

3. Play Alien

You are an alien on Earth, here to observe. Your only job is to notice big things, little things, anything. Everything you see and hear is relayed to the mother ship. None of it matters to you. Watch how those Earthlings get upset over mistakes at work, or fuss over time. Notice how they drive, how they walk. You cannot think about what you see, or you will disrupt the transmission to the ship.

If you frequently play this game, you will be teaching yourself how to live mindfully.

4. Bare Feet

Walk outside barefoot, spending as much time as possible on the grass (watch out for dog poop). Be attentive to how the Earth feels against your sole. Walk in some dirt or mud, or through any puddles. Take deep breaths and exhale slowly. Keep bringing your attention back to how the ground feels under your feet. Connecting with the Earth is calming and you may start to feel like a kid again.

5. Brain Push-ups

Join a website that provides brain games designed to perk up your gray matter. The games are fun and challenging, causing your brain to create new neural pathways, no matter how old you are. The games are also attention absorbing and give your mind a brief vacation from everyday responsibilities.

Luminosity.com is an excellent brain game site; as you improve at each game it becomes a little more difficult so it never gets boring.