Nov 117 min read

Self-Care Choose Your Own Adventure: How to Release Stress

Updated: Nov 22

Letting go of stress can be done in quirky and mischievous "gremlin" ways that allow you to embrace playfulness while releasing tension. These gremlin-inspired stress relievers help you let go of tension without judgment, infusing your day with a bit of chaos and whimsy.

Dealing with stress from a "higher self" perspective can be grounding and soul-nurturing, helping you approach challenges with calm and wisdom. These practices honor your higher self by helping you slow down, tune in, and respond to stress from a place of calm and compassion. The Higher Self ideas are further down ⬇️

Here are some gremlin-inspired ideas:

Trash Talk Stress: Go ahead and have a loud, silly rant to yourself about everything stressing you out. Get as absurd and dramatic as possible. Throw in some exaggerated gestures to help release pent-up frustration.
Stomp it Out: Imagine your stress is a bunch of bugs you can stomp on. Find a place you can move around and stomp, shake, and squish that stress until it feels like you’re in charge again!
Junk Food Feast (Gremlin-Style): Treat yourself to your favorite guilty-pleasure snack and give yourself full permission to enjoy every bite. Let the flavor take over, and allow yourself to embrace a carefree mindset, just for a moment.
Dramatic Pillow Fight (Solo Edition): Grab a pillow and have a mini “battle” with it. Swing it around, flop it, and even yell into it. Go until you feel the stress melting away.
Gremlin Art Attack: Grab paper, markers, crayons—whatever you have on hand—and make the messiest, most chaotic art you can. Scribble, draw ridiculous things, or write down stress in big, bold letters and color over it until it disappears.
Shower Serenade: Belt out the loudest, most exaggerated version of your favorite song in the shower. Don’t worry about being in tune—let yourself be as outrageous as possible.
Scream into the Void: Find a private space (or even just your car), take a deep breath, and let out a big scream. Let it all out—any stress, anger, or frustration you’ve been holding onto.
Bubble Wrap Therapy: Get a sheet of bubble wrap and start popping! Imagine each pop is releasing a bit of stress and tension, and don’t stop until the entire sheet is flat.
Furiously Scribble and Rip: Scribble all your frustrations onto paper in jagged, intense strokes, then tear it up as satisfyingly as possible. Release every piece of stress along with the ripped paper.
Gremlin Dance Party: Put on a song that matches your mood and dance however wild or silly you want. Channel all the stress into movement, letting your body release it freely.
Doodle Your Worries as Monsters: Draw out each stress as a funny little monster on a page. Give them ridiculous features, and when you’re done, crumple up the paper or draw over it to “defeat” them.
Make a “Stress Playlist” and Sing Along: Create a playlist of intense, wild, or goofy songs, and let loose. Sing, shout, or hum along until the tension fades.
Break a Stress-Safe Item: If you’ve got something safely disposable (think pencil or old paper plate), take it and break it. Use the act of breaking to symbolize releasing what’s stressing you out.
Go Full Goblin Mode: Wear your coziest “gremlin attire” (the more mismatched, the better), curl up with a snack, and binge-watch a show or dive into a book that feels like a guilty pleasure.
Play in Mud or Sand (If Available): Let out your inner gremlin and get messy! Feel the earthy textures, build something, or just squish around until it feels fun and lighthearted.
Make “Ugly” Sounds: Whether it’s raspberry noises, blowing out air in frustration, or even snorting, make silly sounds until you laugh or feel some stress dissolve.
Write Out Grievances (with Ridiculous Exaggerations): Jot down everything that’s bugging you, but with exaggerated language. Be dramatic! Make each complaint sound like the end of the world.
Pretend You’re a Monster Stomping Around: Take exaggerated, heavy steps around the house or yard, and imagine you’re a tiny (or huge!) monster stomping out all the worries.
Stick It to Stress (Literally): Write each source of stress on a sticky note and put it somewhere you can squish it, flick it, or even throw it across the room.
Bake a Messy Treat: Make something fun, like cookies or brownies, but give yourself permission to make a mess. Use your hands, taste test along the way, and let yourself just enjoy the process.

Here are some strategies to embody a higher-self approach to stress:

Breath-Work Meditation: Practice mindful breathing to center yourself. Inhale deeply, hold, and exhale slowly, letting each breath release tension. This clears the mind and reconnects you to the present moment.
Reflective Journaling: Write about the stress you’re experiencing and explore what it’s teaching you. Reflect on whether there are deeper insights or areas for growth related to your current situation.
Take a Nature Walk: Go outside and connect with nature, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Let the natural environment calm and ground you, and remind you of your connection to the bigger picture.
Visualize Inner Peace: Imagine a calm, serene place within yourself—a beach, forest, or mountain—and visualize releasing your stress into that space. Allow this mental sanctuary to help dissolve the tension.
Emotional Release Through Art: Channel your stress into painting, drawing, or other forms of art in a way that feels meaningful. Use colors and shapes that represent your emotions, transforming stress into something expressive and beautiful.
Gentle Yoga or Stretching: Practicing slow, mindful movements helps release physical tension stored in the body, bringing a sense of calm and presence. Let each movement serve as a gentle release of stress.
Affirmations for Resilience: Repeat affirmations like, “I am capable of handling this moment,” or “I release stress to embrace inner peace.” Choose words that resonate deeply, grounding you in calm and resilience.
Mindful Tea or Coffee Ritual: Make a cup of tea or coffee, engaging fully in the process. Take time to notice each step—from brewing to sipping—as a calming ritual that soothes the mind and body.
Set Healthy Boundaries: Gently assert boundaries to protect your energy. Reflect on where you might be overextending and take steps to create space for rest and recovery.
Self-Compassion Practice: Speak kindly to yourself as you would to a friend. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel stressed and give yourself permission to rest and recharge without guilt.
Gratitude Meditation: Reflect on the things you’re grateful for. Focus on the small, beautiful aspects of life that bring you joy and peace, shifting your attention from stress to gratitude.
Grounding Visualization: Imagine roots extending from your body into the earth, grounding you. Envision any stress flowing out through these roots, leaving you feeling stable and supported.
Gentle Aromatherapy: Use essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus to help calm your senses. You can use a diffuser or simply place a drop on your wrists to breathe in calming scents throughout the day.
Practice Forgiveness and Release: If your stress involves others, practice mentally forgiving them to lighten your heart. Let go of grudges or expectations, freeing yourself from heavy emotional ties.
Limit Sensory Overload: Take a break from screens and loud environments. Spend some time in quiet, soft lighting, or silence to allow your mind to settle.
Listen to Calming Music or Nature Sounds: Select soothing music, rain sounds, or other relaxing audio to help shift your state of mind. Let each note or natural rhythm wash over you, melting away tension.
Create a Sacred Space: Dedicate a small corner of your room to calm, with objects like candles, crystals, or spiritual symbols that feel comforting. Spend time here whenever you feel overwhelmed.
Engage in Self-Reflection: Take a moment to ask yourself what’s beneath your stress. Often, deeper concerns or emotions are at play. Acknowledging them can lead to a more profound release.
Mindful Physical Activity: Go for a mindful walk, run, or do light exercise to release stress through movement while staying attuned to each sensation in your body.
Release Expectations: Remind yourself that you don’t have to meet every expectation or demand perfectly. Allow yourself room to breathe, adapt, and respond in your own time.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Practice tensing and then relaxing each muscle group from head to toe. This technique helps release tension stored in the body while bringing a sense of physical calm.
Read Spiritual or Uplifting Literature: Spend time with books or passages that bring you inspiration and perspective. Let these words offer comfort and encouragement, helping to realign your mind.
Reconnect with Purpose: Reflect on your long-term goals and purpose to regain perspective. This can remind you why short-term stressors may not be as impactful as they feel in the moment.
Engage in Quiet Compassionate Reflection: Offer silent compassion to others or send kind thoughts to those around you. This shifts the focus from stress to empathy, helping you feel connected and grounded.
Practice Heart-Centered Meditation: Focus on your heart and imagine warmth and love emanating from it. Feel this energy expand, easing tension and bringing you to a place of self-compassion.
Limit Overstimulation: If stress is piling up, reduce unnecessary input by taking breaks from social media, news, and multitasking. Simplify to allow more mental space.
Simplify Tasks to Essential Steps: When feeling overwhelmed, break tasks into small, manageable pieces, focusing on one at a time. This reduces mental clutter and keeps you focused.
Express Yourself Through Writing: Write down everything on your mind, letting it flow without judgment. Once written, reframe or release it as needed to bring clarity and calm.
Be Present with a Pet or Plant: Spend time caring for a pet or plant, letting the act of nurturing something else ground you. This simple presence can bring a sense of peace and connection.
Honor Your Own Pace: Stress can stem from feeling rushed or pressured. Allow yourself to move at a pace that feels natural to you, and remind yourself that there’s no need to hurry.