Updated on October 3rd, 2023
As a full-time master’s student, mother of a 3-year-old daughter, and a blogger, life can be stressful, but I have found things that help me relax, which I wanted to share with you. I also collaborated with Alayjah who is a lifestyle blogger over at Simply Lay, so be sure to check out her post for tips on How To Relieve Stress.
Face Masks
Once a week I like to have a pamper night, and I have previously shared my Perfect Pamper Night. For my pamper night I like using masks including face, hair, hand, and foot masks. Using a mask once a week is a relaxing experience and at the same time I am taking care of myself too. When wearing a mask, I also like to watch Netflix, which I will go into more detail later in this post.
Makeup Looks
I love doing my makeup, but during the week I usually do not have enough time to do more than a simple makeup look which consists of foundation, blush, mascara, and a lip product. However, on the weekends I have more time to do my makeup, and I especially love creating makeup looks for my blog. Along with expressing my creativity, I find the process of creating a makeup look for my blog relaxing. On the weekends I am not pressed for time, and I can spend all the time I need doing something I enjoy. I shared my latest Pride Makeup Look, which I did before having lunch at my partner’s mother’s garden house one weekend last month.
Audiobooks
Since I am often busy with my studies and taking care of my daughter, I tend to not have much free time to sit down and read a book. I then discovered the world of audiobooks as well as Libby where I can listen to them for free, and they are now my preferred method for reading since I can listen to a book while walking to my daughter’s kindergarten or while doing chores. Audiobooks take the stress off of finding time to sit down to read since I can listen to an audiobook throughout the day. I also find being read to a relaxing experience and it is especially nice when the narrator has a soothing voice.
Self-Help Books
One genre of books that I still think are nice to sit down and read are self-help books. I can pick the book up whenever I have time, and I do not have to worry about following a specific plot. My favorite self-help books as of lately are about happiness including Happy by Fearne Cotton and The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking, which are both about finding happiness in your daily life.
Netflix
As I mentioned in my first point, one of my go-to ways to relax is to watch a series on Netflix, and not too long ago I shared My Top Netflix Picks. Netflix helps me unwind from the stress of the real world for 30 minutes at a time and enter into another world where I can laugh, cry, or just be entertained.
Video Games
Another way I relax is to play video games. I usually play games on my laptop, and a few of my favorites are Skyrim, The Sims 4, and any Telltale game. With Skyrim, I can explore a different world and be a hero, and The Sims 4 I can live however I want. Along with my laptop, I have a Nintendo 3DS and a Switch, and I enjoy playing Kirby, Pokemon, and Crash Bandicoot games. I find that playing video games helps me to relieve stress especially casual games that I can pick up and play for an hour or so at a time.
Gardening
The last way I relax is by gardening. Last year I took over my partner’s mother’s greenhouse, and this year I am growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce in it, and outside of the greenhouse is strawberries, raspberries, currants, and blueberries. I find the process of taking care of the plants and picking the berries relaxing because I am out in nature and my attention is focused on the plants.
Being at the gym. Especially boxing and Mauy thai kickboxing. I kill the stress with punches and kicks 🥊🥊
That sounds like a great way to relieve stress!
It’s the best for me.
I love a good long soak in the tub!
Me too!
Thanks for sharing your ways to relax!!! I wish I had the ability to garden because I think it would really help with the stress of the day to day- one day!! It’ll be one of my main priorities when we finally get a house. And I think reading is the #1 I like to relax (or take a nice long walk!). Have a great rest of your week, Karalee!
Having a garden is amazing, but you can always grow herbs in your apartment. That’s what I do & I also have a habanero plant that lives with them.
Reading is great & since I’ve been visiting my parents, me & mum go for walks about every day with her husky & it’s really nice with the mountain views & creeks.
Oh that’s such a great idea!! I think I’ll have to try that- I had no idea you could grow peppers!
That sounds like the absolutely best time with your mom with amazing views- nothing like walks and nature. I love huskies – such gorgeous pups 😍
You can! Last year I grew peppers in the greenhouse but the snails kept eating them before they were ready 😑 so this year my bf’s mum grew 2 kinds in her house & 1 had the habaneros in my apartment & they actually grew!
This Wednesday we’re going hiking & I’m so looking forward to it!
Oh no- not the snails!! 🐌 lol!
That’s so awesome though that you did that! Hope you had a great time hiking 🙂
Going out and weeding in my garden happily is one of the best ways I can wind down and find peace. Anther way I relax is through some light exercise or even writing. I find I can communicate my emotions through words better then through speech.
It’s so interesting to see what other people do to relax. All things nature help me relax, whether it be going for a walk by the beach or listening to nature sounds or painting flowers. Nature has so much healing power. I talk about this and many other relaxation tools
I always watch Netflix when I am stressed!! I especially love to drive when I want to relax or simply go on a walk! lovely post xx
I apologize for the following immaturity: Fus Ro Dah!
I remember creating my wife’s beloved cat, Miko as a khajiit. Then Miko the khajiit met Meeko the wonder dog. They were inseparable.
I loved these ideas and your makeup look is beautiful!
Music and writing are ways that help me relax.
When I have time on the weekend I love spending a bit longer on a makeup look!
Thank you, I really needed this post!
I love your eye makeup in that pic!!! Xxx
Well, Netflix is certainly on my list as well, and instead of videogames, I play boardgames to unwind after a stressful day. Doesn’t always help, but most of the time it does 😊