How to De-stress: Quick Fixes to Improve Your Mood
Mind games.
There’s about to be a whole new mental wellness craze up in here—and unlike oil pulling or jade eggs, this is one we can really get on board with. Even the brainiacs at Harvard Business Review predict that “2021 will be the year where employer support for mental health, financial health and even things that were previously seen as out of bounds, like sleep, will become the table stakes benefits offered to employees.” Let us state at the jump that The Verse is always based firmly in science. We don’t take mental health lightly, and would always advise that if you are struggling with depression, anxiety or the like, you should seek the help of professionals. However, for the routine mental stressors of daily life, we want to offer some things that have given us solace during this most trying year.
Pick a known winner.
A friend recently—and shyly—admitted she was rereading the mystery novels she remembered loving in her youth. We think she shouldn’t be sheepish, she should shout it from the rooftops, because it’s an absolutely genius idea. In a world where we’re overwhelmed with choice and so much uncertainty abounds, why not go with a sure thing? Engaging in something we know we’ll enjoy confers the mental benefits of nostalgia, while delivering a brain boost via reduced decision fatigue. It may be the reason we watch this Arrested Development episode at least every few months.
Laugh intentionally.
While club dates are off, stand-up comedy specials have been the outlet we did know we needed to fully LOL once a week. There’s no shortage of great material out there, and the good news is there is no two-drink minimum. If someone has been given their own special, there must be something redeeming about their set (certainty + laughter—we’ll take it). On that same, lighter note, we’re looking forward to this documentary chronicling some of comedy’s brightest female stars.
Get connected.
It hasn’t taken much for loneliness to set in this past year—even when we’re not physically alone. The collective, ambiguous grief over what we know has been lost is enough to make any of us feel adrift. So lately, we’re whipping up a list of missed connections, and our acceptance of virtual meet-ups has reopened possibilities where geography or circumstance had previously kiboshed a meet-up. If you find yourself flogging yourself for falling out of touch, here’s permission to move it along. It takes two to lose touch and it doesn’t signal any love lost. As happy recipients of those “It’s been forever…” emails and texts ourselves, we assure you we’re better off having hitting reply. Sometimes the one catch-up is enough, so it’s a-ok to keep from committing to being in touch on the regular. A simple sign-off—“I have so enjoyed reconnecting with you”— is Ms. Manners approved.
Work it out.
If you’re new here, you may not know our strong belief (and those of the expert variety) that movement is medicine. Note that we said movement—not Olympic-level sweat sesh. As grown-ups, it’s high time to learn once and for all that consistency > intensity. Some of our favorites when time (or energy) is in short supply? The OG 7-minute workout, which can be repeated as many times as you like. Or pick 6-8 songs you love, and alternate between walking and running (or jogging or power walking) every other song.
