HSPs share their favorite go-to calming activities when stressed

What's your favorite go-to calming action or activity when you get stressed? You might find these ideas from members of my Sensitive Empowerment Community very helpful! Share your ideas in the comments below too!

• Aerobic dance, (mostly low impact these days), followed by classical stretch.

  I also love long walks on the ⛱️ beach every day.

• Lying on my yoga mat and elevating my legs on my bolster. Playing mah Jongg.

• Elliptical when I need to exercise, bath when just need to be at peace

• A bike ride to my favourite grove of trees in a park if I need movement or time in my garden or at the beach if I am more tired

• A walk in nature if I can. If I can’t —zoning out in front of the tv. An action would be the 4-2-7 breath or using visualization techniques

• Yoga pants (they make me feel good) and a cup of hot chocolate... sit somewhere I feel safe and drink slowly.

• I’ve mostly done something quiet and restful wherever I can ~ stretching, resting my eyes, and laying down on my blanket on the floor (shh-Shavasana) for an extended time. I like the feeling of being supported and in contact with the ground, chair, bed; and bent legs/knees together.

• If possible, I use a meditation app that has some wonderful sacred Sanskrit chanting tracks on it that have helped me tremendously. It gives me something tangible to focus my thoughts on, the vibrations in the sounds soothe my body, particularly if I chant along (I am sound sensitive) and the words themselves are beautiful in meaning and in sound, which is spiritually and emotionally uplifting for me. I also just bought my first two tuning forks, which have helped as well.

• Putting on a high-energy song turned up w/ earbuds in and dancing around by myself! Putting on a meditation playlist through Insight Timer and reading something "easy."

• I love creating simple floral line drawing patterns, it brings me home to myself. The simple act of drawing soothes me, just drawing for fun. I also love Yoga Nidra as a practice for a calming reboot.

• So, if I'm in a stressful moment that I can't escape from immediately, my first go-to is 4-2-7 breathing. If I can stop and remove myself from that situation, I immediately head outside to breathe fresh air and move... I focus on the beauty around me (and often name it aloud) in order to redirect my thoughts away from the stressor. And, if I'm at home - or just arriving at home after something stress-inducing - I head to my bedroom, dim the lights, turn on the sounds of either light rain or ocean waves, lie down on my bed, and take deep cleansing breaths. (My pups often join me for a sweet snuggle when I do this, which is a bonus.)

• I like your de-stressing efforts. They are similar to what I try to do. Slow, deep breathing, and stepping outside away from the stressor are good as it helps to clear my brain. Listening to recordings of rain or ocean waves is also very helpful. Yoga Nidra is useful, especially for long-term stress.

• Lately, I have been practicing laying down in a dark room with headphones on to block out the sound. I close my eyes and just feel the weight of my body on the bed. I also love yin yoga! These all help with feelings of overwhelm. If I’m anxious in a more restless way, I go on a quick walk by myself.

• I do the same - lying down in a dark room. Was inspired by a post in this community from a while back so now on my WFH days, before engaging w/ anyone or doing any housework, I head right to my room, lie down in the dark with an eye mask on, and white noise on in my earbuds and let my body just come down and relax from a long work day.

• I like iRest yoga Nidra, walks outside, mindful meditation, and soft music.

• Going for a walk outside, preferably near trees or the water. If the stress is coming from being in a group or a certain person I might remove myself by going outside or to the washroom and being in silence and doing the 4-2-7 breathing technique. If I can’t go anywhere I do grounding techniques like visualizing my feet growing roots into the ground and really feeling my feet on the ground. Yoga also really helps including yin yoga and yoga Nidra is wonderful too. 😊

• Moving my body is the thing that helps me most, and the type of movement depends on the situation and what kind of energy I have. It might be a cardio workout, a walk in nature, or some slow yoga. Music also helps.

• Being out in nature, sitting against a tree, going to a library, breathing techniques, placing my hands in cool water.

Isn’t it wonderful learning and getting inspired by each other?

Please share your favorite calming actions or activities below and share this article with other highly sensitive people and together we can remember some of the many gifts of sensitivity!

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Julie Bjelland is a psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, Author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, host of The HSP Podcast, and founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community. Her books, blog, online courses, and free webinars have helped thousands of highly sensitive people (HSPs) worldwide reduce their challenges, access their gifts, and discover their significant value to thrive to their fullest potential. Her HSPs in Heart-Centered Business Group connect and support HSP healers and practitioners. Julie loves connecting in her Sensitive Empowerment Community and warmly invites you to join this positive, safe, and welcoming space. JulieBjelland.com❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)