LexTalk

How do you manage stress?

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  Deep breaths, a little lavender, a walk through nature… and occasionally, a cocktail and a dramatic scream.

Stress. We’ve all experienced it.

Some days it’s manageable. Other days, it feels like the weight of the entire world has decided to take a seat on your shoulders, make itself comfortable, and stay awhile.

I’ve noticed that when I’m really stressed, I tend to go through a cycle.

First comes the stress itself. Then the overwhelming feeling that there’s just too much happening all at once. And eventually, that overwhelming feeling turns into sadness.

It’s not exactly a fun cycle.

But over time, I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing I can do is stop trying to push through everything and give myself permission to step away.

Because let’s face it, life doesn’t exactly come with a pause button.

Although, wouldn’t that be nice?

First, I Stop and Breathe 

When I can feel myself getting overwhelmed, I stop whatever I’m doing.

I close my eyes.

And I breathe.

Not the rushed, distracted kind of breathing we do all day without thinking about it. I’m talking about slow, intentional, deep breaths.

I try to quiet my thoughts, focus on the present moment, and remind myself that I don’t have to figure everything out right this second.

Sometimes, just a few minutes of stillness can make a difference.

And sometimes, those few minutes are the only thing standing between me and completely losing my marbles.

Hey, at least I’m self-aware.

A Little Lavender, Lemongrass, and Magic 

I’ve always loved the scents of lavender and lemongrass essential oils.

There’s something about that combination that feels so refreshing and comforting to me.

So, naturally, I decided to create my own little calming ritual.

I blended my favorite essential oils with distilled water and witch hazel, poured the mixture into a spray bottle, and created what I like to call my aura spray.

When I’m feeling particularly stressed, I give the bottle a shake, spritz a little into the air away from my face, and enjoy the familiar aroma as I take a few gentle breaths.

It’s become a little reminder to slow down and reconnect with myself.

Is it magic?

Well, maybe not the kind that comes with a wand and a spell book.

But there’s something pretty magical about finding a simple little ritual that helps you feel more like yourself again.

And honestly, sometimes that’s all the magic I need.

When in Doubt, I Head Outside 

One of my favorite things about living in Northern California is having so many beautiful trails nearby.

And when my mind feels cluttered, nature is usually where I want to be.

There’s something incredibly peaceful about stepping outside and feeling that cool, crisp air against my skin.

The mountains in the distance.

The rolling hills stretching across the landscape.

Little patches of clouds drifting through the sky.

The warmth of the sun peeking through.

I start paying attention to everything around me instead of everything going on inside my head.

The birds singing.

The wind rustling through the trees.

The sound of my shoes against the trail.

And slowly, my thoughts begin to settle.

I don’t necessarily stop worrying about whatever was stressing me out. My problems don’t magically disappear just because I went for a walk.

But they don’t feel quite as loud anymore.

Sometimes I think nature has a beautiful way of reminding us that the world is so much bigger than whatever is weighing on our minds at that moment.

And that’s a comforting thought.

There’s something about standing beneath that enormous California sky that makes my problems feel just a little smaller.

Even if only for a moment.

Washing Away the Weight of the Day 

After my walk, I usually head home and take a shower.

And this might sound a little silly, but I like to imagine that I’m washing away all the stress, frustration, and heaviness I’ve been carrying.

The water runs over me, and I picture the difficult parts of my day disappearing down the drain.

It’s almost like hitting a reset button.

A chance to start fresh, even if the day isn’t over yet.

I can’t control every stressful situation that comes my way, but I can choose how I take care of myself afterward.

And sometimes, that means a long shower, comfortable clothes, and a quieter evening.

Because Sometimes Lavender Just Isn’t Enough 

Now, before anyone starts thinking I’m some perfectly peaceful, zen-like woman who handles every stressful situation with essential oils and a nature walk…

Let me stop you right there.

I’m human.

Very human.

And sometimes, after a particularly difficult day, the lavender spray just isn’t going to cut it.

Sometimes I want a nice glass of wine, a refreshing spritzer, or a delicious cocktail while I soak in a warm bubble bath and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist for a little while.

And other times?

I just want to walk outside and let out one really good, dramatic scream.

You know, the kind that makes the birds stop singing and the neighbors wonder if everything is okay.

Everything’s fine. Just releasing some negative energy. 

Do I actually have all my stress-management techniques figured out?

Absolutely not.

Some days I’m a peaceful woodland fairy, breathing in lavender and admiring the clouds.

Other days, I’m one minor inconvenience away from becoming the neighborhood cryptid.

It’s called balance, people. 

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that finding your calm doesn’t have to look the same every single day.

Sometimes it’s meditation.

Sometimes it’s a walk.

Sometimes it’s a bubble bath, a favorite drink, and a little laughter at your own expense.

And sometimes, it’s realizing that you don’t have to handle everything with perfect grace.

We’re all just doing the best we can.

Finding My Way Back to Myself 

I wish I could say that I’ve mastered stress.

I haven’t.

I still get overwhelmed. I still have moments when everything feels like too much. And sometimes I still need a good cry before I can even begin to feel better.

But I’ve learned that managing stress doesn’t always mean solving the problem immediately.

Sometimes it means giving yourself a little space.

A few deep breaths.

A familiar scent.

A walk beneath the California sky.

A warm shower.

A good laugh.

Or even a moment to acknowledge that life can be really freaking hard sometimes.

And that’s okay.

I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out, to always be productive, to keep pushing forward no matter how exhausted we feel.

But we’re human beings, not machines.

We’re allowed to have difficult days.

We’re allowed to feel overwhelmed.

And we’re allowed to step away from the chaos long enough to remember who we are underneath all that stress.

Maybe the magic isn’t in making the stress disappear. Maybe it’s in learning how to find our calm in the middle of it.

And that’s something I’m still learning, one deep breath, one nature walk, and occasionally one dramatic scream at a time.

 
A Little Question for You

When life starts feeling overwhelming, what helps you find your calm?

Are you someone who goes for a walk, listens to music, takes a hot bath, pours a glass of wine, or just needs a little quiet time?

Or are you more of the “I need to go outside and scream into the universe” type?

No judgment here. 

I’d love to hear about the little rituals that help you reset. Maybe we can all learn a little something from one another.

Until next time, keep creating your own magic.