national stress awareness day

Let's: destress

Today is National Stress Awareness Day

I don't know about you, but I am already aware of my stress.

All funny-ness aside. I am very aware these days of my stress level and how at times it can take over my whole mindset.

Last month @alimakesthings (you can follow her on Instagram) she wrote a well thought out post on World Mental Health Day.

Here were her suggestions for accommodating for a mental health illness: (I just so happen they work for stress awareness too.)

• Go see a therapist
• Get outside
• Move
• Nourish
• Make things
• Ditch social

There are two points here I really want to stress (see what I did there?) in today's post:

I realize a THERAPIST is not available to everyone. But if you can, that too is a super stress reliever for what we carry in our hearts and minds. Sharing our troubles with another equipped soul can bring needed perspective to our thoughts.

Along with that I want to add this: #writeitdown.

Writing down the things that bother. The conscious stream of words. The morning pages. Journaling. The ability to put our mind on paper is very powerful. It puts physical distance between us and our problems. And I am here to say, it works.

Secondly, MAKE THINGS!

As a creative, you had to know I was going to say that.

But it's a known stress reliever.

The mind can rest a little.

The hands can be busy.

It can be a way to be still.

And to keep calm.

"It's cheaper than a therapist." That's how the saying goes. However, having met some of you creatives, I am not so sure that saying actually holds true. You girls love your craft stashes. But maybe that is just exactly to my point. Continuing in creative pursuits may just be the thing that keeps so much of our stress levels at bay.

As today is Stress Awareness Day, don't just play victim to the stress that is already surrounding us. Not to mention the situations in our own house that can overwhelm. Take the time to process the stress in your life. Then, find some healthy accommodations that help to ease the tension.

I say 'make pretty stuff'. Works every time.

supplies | Heidi Swapp Mini Lightbox. American Crafts Journal Studio

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of jamiepate.com I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.