Ways To Nourish Yourself And Reduce Stress
September 30, 2025 • Written by naturopathic doctor, hannah webb
How does one reduce stress?
I find that “reduce stress” is an overly used and trite health tip, and is much easier said than done. Sure, we could quit our jobs and spend the rest of our time on a beach in Mexico but that may not be realistic. And stress isn’t a bad thing, though too much of it is.
Reducing stress isn’t always about taking rest, though that is an important aspect of it. We are less stressed when we feel connection, belonging, a sense of purpose, creative, clear, or alive, just to give a few examples. Here is some inspiration for simple ways to help reduce your daily stress:
Stretch your body
Go outside
Get out on the water in a canoe, kayak, paddleboard (or other!)
Feel the wind in your hair
Soak in a hot tub
Read, just for the fun of it
Do some baking and share it
Tell someone you appreciate them and why
Take a day off from your phone
Play with a baby
Call an old friend
Rest for 20 minutes under a weighted blanked
Take a long walk
Dance
Dance in the rain
Visit a neighbour
Visit an elderly person
Do a good deed
Go rock climbing
Find a way to move your body every day
Take a bubble bath
Do art just for fun and to express yourself (i.e. not to make it beautiful)
Make a collage that expresses the inner you
Do something whimsical – fly a kite, jump in a puddle, climb a tree
Drink spring water
Eat a meal with your fingers
Soften your face, your eyes, your shoulders, your ribcage, your whole body
Jump in the lake
Fall in a snowbank
Play
Compliment a stranger
Give or receive a massage
Have an orgasm
Keep warm
Keep your neck warm, in particular. Wear a scarf
Listen to music you love
Forgive yourself
Hide a treasure where someone else will eventually find it
Visit a favourite place, especially a favourite nature spot
Fill your house with many house plants
Plan a trip
Drink water
Set a boundary
Get off your screen
Sing
Laugh
Be real
Dream
Feed yourself and a loved one a GOOD meal, eat it slowly and enjoy
Pet an animal
Declutter
Avoid tight clothes
Clarify your priorities
Reflect on and celebrate your successes
Hug a friend
Let it go
And many more. Perhaps a starting point for you to write your own list and keep it somewhere special so you can pull it out in times of need.
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Disclaimer: Information can be empowering, but we all have unique health profiles and needs. Health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general in nature and should not be taken as medical advice nor should it be used as a substitute for a visit with a licensed health care provider.