You wear a hundred different hats, and some of them all at once. You are girlfriend, wife, lover, mother, co-worker, friend, shopping buddy, and teammate. Simply put, it takes guts and genius to make it through your day in one piece. But what about those days when the stress of wearing so many hats brings you to that pint of ice cream stashed in the back of your freezer? How can you deal with it all in a healthy way? Here’s where reducing your stress with your girlfriends can help.
Reducing Your Stress With Your Girlfriends: Holding The Space
Your one, two (or more) girlfriends are great at doing what I call “holding the space.” This means that when you need to sit on the couch and spit out every horrible aspect of your day for ten or fifteen minutes, they’re there to nod and listen. We both know that this is all most women usually need: a sympathetic ear and the chance to voice their inner thoughts. Having a friend who will simply listen can make a big difference when it comes to getting rid of stress.
Women And Stress: Time For A Dance Break!
Getting some exercise is another great way of reducing your stress with your girlfriends. Sometimes just jumping on a bike, or taking a walk will do the trick. Other times, as odd as it may sound, taking ten minutes to be absolutely silly can do a world of good. Don’t believe me? Try it! Grab your girls, put on those hits from high school, and have a mini-dance party around the living room. There’s no one to impress, so let down your guard. Channel your inner-seven year old: the one who could be “miss-all-that” and “miss-silly” all at once, without a care about what others thought.
Or better yet, let the little girls in your life remind you how to be carefree for just a little bit. Shedding your adult skin for a few minutes will not only refresh your soul, it will lighten the load and bring back some fun into your life.
Speaking Of Fun…
Fun is the antidote to stress and all those swampy feelings that occasionally come up. After you’ve taken a moment to acknowledge all the yuck inside, party with it.
You heard me right – learn to party with your inner Swamp-Queen. While having fun might sound like the last thing you want to do when the world weighs heavy, it’s precisely that very action that will help propel you out of the swamp.
Make a list of fun things you and your girls can do when times get tough. There is no right or wrong here, just think of anything, from expensive to cheap, from outrageous to tame, that can help put a smile back on your face. Fun lists are great for reducing your stress with your girlfriends.
Here’s the hard part: you may not want to have fun. This is normal and to be expected, but don’t let that stop you. Go out and give it a shot anyway. You’ll be surprised at the fun you can have when you make room for it in your life. And remember this: fun doesn’t just “happen”; it’s created. You are directly in charge of how much fun you create to enjoy, so go for the max.
Reducing your stress with your girlfriends can be a huge help the next time life gets you down, so don’t hesitate to call them. You aren’t a burden and you aren’t imposing. You are simply living.
