CHILL
OUT!
With some useful tips.
Feliz Navidad, it might as well be Christmas already because we have sped through the past few months. It’s getting to be that time of year again where plans are piling up, every person you know is celebrating their birthday and of course, you must still work, study, eat, exercise, breathe and find time for yourself. This season of the year tends to make us experience more stress than a pressure cooker on a public holiday. So here’s a few reminders of ways you can chill the freak out amidst the chaos that is September to December.
Written by: Jordan Fernandez
1. Yogi it up buttercup
Virgin Active, a local yoga studio or your iPad, a towel and a sunny spot, yoga could be the habit you are missing. A bedtime yoga routine helps with better heart health and better sleep. You just need the right mindset, 20 minutes of your day and a stable internet connection. Alternatively, a good stretch sesh does the same thing.
2. Take a stroll for the soul
Wherever your nearest (and safest) park is, a walk in the wilderness can do you wonders. As a student, entrance into the beautiful gardens at Kirstenbosch can be as little as R60. A nice picnic is great to recoup, and you can literally touch some grass after the stressful week you’ve had. Not to mention from 22-28 September, some SANparks are granting free access.
3. Go on a hike Mike
If there’s one thing Cape Town isn’t short of, it’s places to take a hike. Lion’s Head and Table Mountain are obvious choices, but there’s also The Pipe Track, Elephant’s Eye or Kasteelspoort (give it a google). I for one am not thinking about my essay due on Monday when I am looking at a breathtaking view.
4. Say no Joe
This is less so an activity and more so advice you should practice. The trade off for having a full plate to the point where there’s no breathing room is your peace. You can’t do everything and there are only so many hours in a day, so start seeing people and doing things you actually want to do. Stop making commitments which bust your balls.
5. Anything new bruh
This sounds redundant but hear me out. Our lives when at their busiest become repetitive and automatic. A day trip, change of scenery, meeting someone you haven’t seen in a while, doing something out of your comfort zone or unusual can be a brain relaxer. Different is good, different breaks the stress cycle, different is important.
6. Dance the pain away José
Now it may seem strange but sometimes you just need to let loose. Whether it’s a boogy at the club, a dance break in your room, a last-minute decision to go to Kunda Valley or Pangea or a random salsa night hosted by Salsa Cape Town. You really can dance the pain away (to a healthy extent of course).
7. Get a hobby
Your brain needs downtime. We are constantly overstimulated by music, technology, screens and of course that bloody cellphone. Find something to relax which doesn’t involve Netflix. If you don’t like reading, fine. Build a puzzle, make cupcakes, knitting, beading, writing, arts and crafts, a board game (solitaire if it has to be) or build something. Whatever it is, do it like it’s the 1960’s and technology doesn’t exist.
I myself have put a few of these into practice and can say they are indeed effective, I guess I’m bias though. To find out if I’m wrong you might as well try dummy. So here’s to saying yes less, spending more time in nature and having better outlets for your busy brain. Oh and don’t forget, just chill the freak out man.
