How I De-Stress

Way back in March, an Instagrammer did a #confidentlybranded challenge. I didn't follow the challenge exactly, but I did use some of her prompts and I still have a few left.

De-stressing is going to look very different because we all have different personality types. Before I get to how I de-stress, I want to share the best way I've ever heard to explain the difference between introverts and extroverts.

Imagine two Xbox controllers. One is has a rechargeable battery. You can take it off the charger and play with it for a while, but the battery will drain and at some point, you have to put it back on the charger to recharge so you can keep playing later. The other is a wired controller. It is constantly receiving electricity from the box. Assuming nothing else happens, that controller will never die or run out of energy. It is receiving a constant supply.

Introverts are the battery powered controller. They have a limited supply of energy and social interaction drains that energy. At some point, in order to continue to be sociable, they'll need to be recharged. Extroverts are the wired controllers. They get their energy from being plugged in. Being around people actually energizes them.

I say this because whether you're an extrovert or an introvert will help determine what kind of things you need to de-stress. I'm sure some extroverts still need time alone and some introverts might want to be around people when they need to de-stress. But in general, it's probably going to be the opposite.

I am an introvert. My de-stressing usually happens alone. I like to read, listen to music, or watch a movie. Do something that doesn't require a lot of thinking. Sometimes, de-stressing is just recharging after a hectic few days. Other times, I'm really getting worked up about something (usually something I have no control over). If the latter is the case, then I probably listen to worship music and read/listen to the Bible (often a Psalm). At that point, I need calming in my spirit more than just normal de-stressing.

Anything that allows me to be still can be a de-stresser for me. Listening to or watching a baseball game. Listening to a podcast. Scrapbooking or cardmaking. I just need to be still.

If I'm really worked up about something, (angry, fearful, worried, stressed), I will journal about it. I process things by writing about them and there is something about getting the words out of my head and onto paper that helps me release them. I can also corral the thoughts in a more orderly fashion and actually get a handle on what's going on.

Those are some ways I de-stress. I know there are as many ways as their are people, so I'd love to hear your favorite ways to de-stress. Did any of mine resonate with you?

Here is a funny (but pretty accurate) info graphic my dad sent me about introverts.