If you can relate to being an introvert, then you know how nice it is to have some “me” time after a long day at work or after being around a lot of people during family gatherings. Being an introvert doesn’t mean you don’t like people, it just means that social communication drains your energy a lot quicker than it does for extroverts. So if you’re an introvert, every social gathering, no matter how small, can feel like a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make socializing less draining, like taking breaks often, communicating with people one-on-one instead of in large groups, and making sure to schedule some “me” time into your day so you can recharge your batteries.
As an introvert, I sometimes find myself feeling drained after being around people for too long. I need time to recharge by being in silence and alone. Social drama and conflicts are two of the worst things for me because they cause me so much anxiety. If you can relate, then you’ll understand why self care is so important for introverts. We need to be careful about how we plan our days and make sure we allow ourselves time to be alone so that we don’t get too overwhelmed or drained.
Here are some of my favorite stress-relieving activities to do when I need some time to myself or a break from social interactions.
All of these activities can be done solo, and they’re great for introverted people who want to relax (if you’re new to the self-care philosophy, check out this article: A guide to self-care basics – learn where to begin).
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10 Delightful Stress Relief Activities For Introverts
1. Gardening Or Taking Care Of Home Plants.
Something that I find to be incredibly therapeutic and calming is spending time alone with nature, focusing on something, and clearing out my head. I fell in love with home plants when I was living in my first apartment and since then, it’s one of my favorite ways to instantly go into a stress relief mode. If you’ve never done anything like this before, imagine yourself being surrounded by beautiful plants and terrariums. You would be watering them, misting them, pruning them, wiping their leaves, and then resting in a green, refreshing urban jungle.
2. Going For A Long Walk In Nature (If You Have A Dog, It’s A Bonus).
For introverts, walking is an excellent way to relieve stress. It’s a great form of exercise that can also help clear your head. Just put on your headphones and enjoy this completely free stress relief activity.
3. Daydreaming Or Imagining Yourself In Positive & Pleasant Situations.
If you’re feeling tired or lazy and don’t want to do anything, tune into your imagination. Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and imagine yourself in amazing places or pleasant scenarios. It’s a very simple, meditative introvert-style stress relief activity (or should I say exercise) that can also be used to inspire yourself for changes. In that case, imagine yourself being the kind of person you want to be.
4. Cleaning, Organizing & Decluttering Your Life.
A decluttered life can mean less stress in the long run. It may feel daunting to declutter if you’re already stressed but doing a few cleaning or organizing tasks can be very therapeutic. Cleaning is one of my favorite stress relief activities of all time! It’s not unusual for me to get in a cleaning mode late at night and go through the whole apartment until 2 A.M. (crazy, I know).
I get a little tired but also – incredibly relaxed and satisfied after all this therapeutic work.
If you’re a person who likes tidying up, find something to organize. Soon after accomplishing this task, you may find yourself calmer and less stressed. A tidier home will give you a mood boost too!
There’s just something about decluttering and organizing your space that can be really therapeutic. It’s a great way to relieve stress and it can also help improve your mood. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try tidying up something in your home and see how you feel afterwards.
5. Taking Online Courses.
These are perfect if you want to just lay on your bed but still do something productive.
Interesting online courses help you focus on something, which means you’ll have less time to think about your stressful day. Plus, you’ll get a dopamine boost after finishing one, so it’s a win-win!
6. Cooking And Enjoying A Meal By Yourself.
If there’s a specific cuisine you enjoy, why not find a recipe and attempt to cook the perfect dinner? I personally love Japanese food and there’s nothing more peaceful than making a bowl of homemade ramen and sitting down to eat it by myself. No distractions, no interruptions – just a relaxing dinner with your favorite meal and some good company (even if that company is just yourself!).
7. Writing In A Thought Or Anxiety Journal.
I’m a huge mental health advocate and I believe that anxiety and thought journals are the key to happiness. I use them every day and they’ve helped me tremendously. I know that they’re popular among my readers for the same reason – because they work.
There’s nothing more calming than writing down your thoughts and reframing them. Many times we exhaust ourselves because we’re stewing in some made-up beliefs we’ve created in our head. This doesn’t have to be the case.
You can live a happier life even if you’re constantly tired, stressed, or anxious.
8. Making A Vision Board.
A vision board is a great way to distract your mind from stress, and it can also help you create a clearer vision for how you want to live your life.
Making a vision board is easy and fun! Plus, it’s a great way to relieve stress if you’re looking for more creative activities.
You can buy a simple cork or magnetic board, and then attach quotes, photos, challenges, goals, and affirmations that reflect the idea of your dream life. Hang it in your room so you’ll have a beautiful motivational spot to inspire you to achieve your dreams every day.
9. Enjoying A Warm Foot Bath.
Simple, cheap, and requires zero social interaction – what more could you want? Put in some sea salt, grab a cup of tea, turn on Netflix, and simply relax for a while. You deserve it!
10. Creating A Music Playlist.
As introverts, we often seek solace in our headphones and music. Creating new playlists can be a great way to relax and de-stress.
I personally love creating playlists for different activities. It helps me enjoy a different musical setting whenever I need it.
For example, I have a calming nature sounds playlist to use before sleep, a more energetic cleaning playlist, zen music for meditation, and similar.
