How to reduce stress? We wish we had a magic wand to make stress disappear from our lives. Unfortunately, it’s an integral part of our daily lives. It’s at work, at home, in our relationships, on TV… It’s hard to escape it. So what do we do when we feel it creeping up on us? Here are 3 writing exercises to help you calm down.

How to reduce stress

Before I talk to you in more detail about the writing exercises, it’s essential that I explain how to actually do them.

When you feel the stress building up, take a few moments.

Take out a sheet of paper or a notebook. You can also write on a computer or smartphone, but I think using a pen will be much more effective.

Taking the time to write is important. It will send a strong signal to your mind. Today, we no longer take time for what’s essential.

Your well-being is essential, reducing stress is important, so take the time to really write.

Once you’ve got your notebook or sheet of paper, take out your cell phone and set an alarm or start the stopwatch.

Write for 5 to 10 minutes!

At first, I suggest you write for 5 minutes, as this will seem long enough.

How can I reduce stress? A sheet of paper, a pen and 5 minutes is all you need!

Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. Don’t worry about style either. Nobody’s going to read you. Not even you. That’s not the point.

After all, the point of the exercise is to write! Quite simply! So write without judgment, without fear and without doubt.

1 – What’s wrong?

When we’re stressed, one of the best writing exercises is to ask ourselves the question “What’s wrong?

To write down everything we’re thinking about, everything that’s on our minds.

When we write about what’s wrong, we take some of the weight off our shoulders. It’s like confiding in someone. Indeed, pain, unhappiness and shared stress become lighter.

That’s why writing feels good. It’s liberating.

What’s more, it allows us to take stock. After all, we often don’t really know what’s stressing us. It’s all jumbled up in our heads. Writing it down puts words to what’s holding us back in our lives.

Writing it down also allows us to take a step back from things. We might realize that it’s not that bad.

How can we reduce stress? By writing down the things that aren’t going well.

This is an exercise to be done as often as necessary. Repetition is good.

2 – What’s going well in my life?

This is the opposite of the first exercise. We’re going to write about everything that’s going well in our lives. In fact, it’s a gratitude list: we’re going to write about everything we feel grateful to be alive for, everything that makes us smile, everything that keeps us hopeful.

An exercise that may be less obvious than the first in times of stress, but is surely far more powerful.

Indeed, writing about what’s going well in our lives will make us feel stronger, happier. Stress will fly away more quickly from our shoulders and our hearts.

To do this exercise, just breathe calmly and close your eyes. What makes us smile? What do we enjoy in our daily lives? What are the little moments of grace?

Have we heard a child laugh, a bird sing? Have we smelled warm bread or good coffee? Perhaps we’ve shared a laugh with a colleague or friend? Have we seen the stars in the sky, a ray of sunshine on the leaves of a tree? Are we in good health? Do we have enough food in our fridge?

What was the last good news? The last good memories?

How can we reduce stress? By immersing ourselves in everything that’s going well in our lives.

This is because our memory is selective and focuses more easily and for longer on the negative aspects of our lives. Let’s bring some of the positive back into the present.

3 – What do I have to do?

When we’re stressed, it’s often because we have something to do right now, but we don’t know what.

So it’s a good idea to take a few moments to write down everything we have to do.

Is it an appointment to make? Is it a household chore put off day after day? Or is it a date that’s looming and a file that’s not moving forward? Perhaps it’s a project that’s close to our hearts, but just won’t materialize?

Put into words everything that’s stressing you out and that you have to do. Then breathe. Tell yourself that you’re not a do-it-yourself machine, and that you need to make this a priority.

What, of all the things you have to do, is the most important right now? Pick one, just one, and do it right now.

Action is the best remedy for stress. It doesn’t have to be a big, crazy, time-consuming action. No, just one small step. A call made, a room tidied, an e-mail sent, a paragraph written… A very small step.

How do you reduce stress? By choosing one priority, just one, and taking one small step forward, right now.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to stop worrying: my 3 favourite tips
Discover The best stress reliever: a magical morning routine

In addition, I recommend this inspiring book on the subject:

A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver
I really enjoyed this book, its subjects and rhythms transported me to a warm place in my heart.

The author invites us to slow down, appreciate the world around us and find comfort in the simplicity of life. Her words often praise the natural world, providing a sense of peace and connection for the reader, making it a valuable resource for those seeking moments of serenity and introspection.

If you’re looking for a book that encourages reflection and mindfulness, don’t hesitate for a second!

Thank you very much for reading this article.
If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself.