No Stress November - Daily Guide
Reduce stress with these daily practices.
Follow the suggestions in numerical order, beginning November 1 or skip around if you like.
Extra explanations, audio and video recordings are below the list.
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact us here.
- Try a “new to you” recipe.
- Wear an outfit that makes you feel awesome.
- Enjoy some yoga: join the 6pm class at FMC or practice at home (below).
- Step outside, breathe in fresh air, feel the temperature on your skin, notice nature.
- Increase your water intake and track it for the rest of the month.
- Take a day off social media. (Boycott all social media for 24- hours. Would this be beneficial for you, every week?)
- Create a relaxing autumn playlist.
- Take a walk outside and take note of 5 special things. You might bring a reminder home.
- Begin a gratitude list, add 3 things you are grateful for each day. (Try not to repeat.)
- Take a day off news. (A full 24 hours free of news. What might happen if you incorporated this on a weekly or even daily basis?)
- Listen to our guided meditation (below). If it helps you relax work it in as often as you can.
- Memorize 1Thessalonians 5:18 or find an affirmation to say to yourself.
- Brain dump: write down all your ideas/concerns about Thanksgiving Day. Get them out and on paper, then take 15 minutes (or less) and begin to problem solve. If Thanksgiving is too quiet, invite someone to join you or find a group event where you can participate. If you find Thanksgiving chaotic, look for places/way to get help.
- Yoga and stretching. 9am at FMC or practice at home (below). (Only two in-person classes left in this session)
- Contact a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, let go of a commitment or two for this week.
- Tea meditation. (Steps below)
- Pray for a friend or family member who might be struggling this holiday season.
- Practice alternate nostril breathing for 5 minutes. (Close left nostril, inhale through the right, draw the breath across to the left as you release the nostril to exhale, closing the right nostril, inhale through the left nostril and exhale that breath through the right nostril, repeat)
- Take a relaxing bath/shower with great smelling soap.
- Clean out a closet, dresser or cabinet and donate some of the items.
- Enjoy a day of rest without guilt.
- Send a card, snail-mail, to a friend.
- Journal about your favorite spot to get away and relax, real or imagined.
- Go to bed one hour early.
- Do a body scan and relax from tip toes to the top of your head.
- Try something new.
- Write 5-positive attributes about yourself.
- Watch your favorite Christmas movie. Contact us if you want suggestions.
- Begin a book you have been wanting to read, for the sheer pleasure of reading.
Tea Meditation - Using the 5 Senses
Sight
Begins with the selection of your cup & tea.
Watch the tea steep in your cup and notice the color intensify.
Touch
Notice the weight of the cup in your hand and its texture.
Feel the warmth of the tea heat the cup and begin to warm your hands.
Sound
With each step notice the sound of your breath & the stillness of the room, the roll of boiling water.
Smell
Notice the specific fragrances within the tea.
Breathe in the warmth of the tea, feel the heat on the face.
* Take these 4 steps slowly, allowing the tea to cool enough to drink. *
Taste
Take a small sip and compare the taste with the smell.
Savor each note of flavor.
As you feel the warmth spread through the body, let it ease any tension you feel.
Slowly sip the tea as you focus on a scripture, 3 things you are grateful for or focus on your breath.