In part 3 of my stress series, I invite Ben on the channel to cap off our conversation about stress. We discuss stress from both a man and a woman's perspective. Ben, as usual, has some very insightful ideas to share and I hope you enjoy listening to him in today's video.
The statistics discussed in the video were taken from this Gallup poll.
The article lists the top two things to cause stress in one's life as children and work. Would you agree with that?
Would you say that stress for men and women is caused by different things? Is your significant other stressed out by the same things you are?
These are all interesting insights into the world of stress and we would love to hear from you in the comment section.
To see my previous videos on stress click here and here.
Today's post is sponsored by Home Chef. Thank you to Home Chef for being such a loyal supporter of The Daily Connoisseur.
Use code JENNIFERS80 for $80 off ($20 off each of your first 4 boxes).
Thank you for joining us today. I'll see you tomorrow for a Get Ready With Me: Wedding Guest Edition.
My last video on combating stress sparked a lot of conversation. Turns out, almost all of us deal with stress! I am not surprised by this. Whether financial stress, workload stress, parenting stress, or all of the above, people are interested in reducing it. How can we move through life beautifully and go through challenging times with grace?
I sat down with Ben and we did an experiment. I wrote down ten ways to combat stress and he wrote down his. When we revealed our ways to each other they were so different! My ways were actions and his ways were mental shifts. Perhaps I can get Ben to come back and share his tips with you, but in today's video, I'm sharing ten ways that I personally combat stress.
🌿Get out in nature This is what I discussed primarily in my last stress video, but I find that as soon as I step out into nature, my stress tends to dissolve. You could go on a walk, have a picnic, sit on a park bench, or just observe what you see through nature journaling.
🌿Spend quality time with your children I do realize that children are often the cause of our stress so this may seem antithetical, but when you view the world through a child's eyes and get down on their level to play, your stress dissolves. Put your to-do list away and start to pretend play.
🌿Stay off social media for an extended period of time I know many of you already do this. Social media induces stress for me. I especially do not like the addictive tendencies I have toward checking my Instagram or Facebook feeds. Lots of time spent on social media also represents lots of time we are wasting and not being productive, which can lead to stress as well. Take regular extended breaks from it and over time you will not want to go on as much.
🌿Read a book Picture this: you are in a well-lit reading nook, sitting in your favorite arm chair with a cup of tea and your favorite book. Isn't your stress dissipating already? In lieu of watching TV, I like to tuck in with a good book and my stress seems to melt when I do this...
🌿Spa-like self care While many of us cannot afford to take a spa day (let alone find time to get away), we can still recreate a spa-like experience at home. Ideas that I regularly do: take a hot bath, apply a face mask, at-home manicures and pedicures, etc.
🌿Get a massage I store much of my stress and tension in my neck and shoulders so a massage is one instant way to help relieve that stress. You can get a massage from a family member, a professional masseuse, or from tools at home, such as this deep tissue back roller and this shiatsu hot stone massager.
🌿Work with your hands Knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, crafting, flower arranging, woodworking... there are many concentrated skills we can do with our hands that require focused attention and are deeply satisfying. I find that this type of activity is a great stress- reliever.
🌿Do some gardening Even though I am a rather clueless gardener, I still greatly enjoy getting out in the fresh air and being amongst our kitchen garden. It is very therapeutic to sow seeds, plant plants and even pull weeds. This is also an aspect of getting out in nature. You don't need a plot of land to garden, you just need some pots and a little outdoor space.
🌿Listen to classical music Perhaps my favorite on the list and the tactic I employ most often, listening to classical music has been proven to reduce stress. I just received a comment recently from a reader who wrote:
Hi, Jennifer! I was listening to a podcast about anxiety with my husband last night. He's a counselor and I have a business helping families simplify at home, so this is a topic we both share a great interest in. The discussion included ways to take your body from the sympathetic state (fight or flight) to a more relaxed parasympathetic state. One of the ways was through listening to music with seventy beats per minute, such as classical music. In fact, studies show that your heart will beat in time with classical music! It's that fascinating?! It made me think of your classical music advocacy. :)
Cook and bake from scratch As I write this, our kitchen was finished yesterday. The first meal I made? Large batch chicken pot pie. I made triple the pie filling and froze two... then I made a pie crust from scratch and we had our pot pie for dinner. It was deeply satisfying and was a marvelous escape. Cooking from scratch, especially when you make an event of it (tie an apron... listen to some music... etc.) is a wonderful way to relieve stress.
My pies always tend to look... rustic :)
On my nails: Dainty Daze- a periwinkle creme Use code JenniferS for 25% off your order.
Today's video was brought to us by Skillshare, which is an online learning platform with over 25,000 classes on any possible skill you could want to acquire. The first 500 of my subscribers to sign up through my link will receive 2 months of Skillshare premium for free. Thank you to Skillshare for sponsoring today's video.
News 📍Join me for the Mapp & Lucia book club's final installment, which will take place this summer. You can read my book club announcement here.
Comment of the Week On The Chic Assignment Check-in, Nicole M. writes, "I adored the Gymnopedies! I plan on playing more frequently and of course for my toddler. The sweet somber pace gave a feeling of release, of slowing down. Thank you thank you.
Oh Renoir. As an art history student myself, I loved learning about the impressionists. The flicking of the brushstrokes, the warm palate, the conversational atmosphere that he created was undeniable. Next library run, I will bring home large format art books for my toddler to ogle at!
I just rescued old jewelry from my parents basement and received hand-me-downs from my mother. I’m elated to wear “new” things!
Buying that foot file NOW!"
Thank you, Nicole! I enjoy reading everyone's findings for The Chic Assignment. What an enjoyable series this is. Thank you for joining us!
I would love to know your tips for reducing stress. What actionable tips seem to work for you? Please let us know and your comment could be comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.
One can always find loveliness, if one truly looks
And today that is what I found.
News Thank you to everyone who has taken my new eCourse, How to be Efficient at Home. These are the last few days to get the course at only $5. The price will go up later this week. I do this to cover the costs that Teachable charge me to host the courses. You are able to access the courses at any time and as many times as you like.
Oxana writes, "Dear Jennifer, I am very grateful to you for this course! It points out the main pillars of home efficiency. I am definitely determined now to work on the points that haven't become my habits yet. You have inspired me a lot! By the way I live in Moscow, Russia. We have long winters here (November - March) with very little sun. It always affects me with the lack of joy and energy. But this winter I had an additional source of light, energy and joy: your books, videos and now this course! Thank you so much for doing all this for us! I've never thought of home chores as of something that could bring joy, I've always viewed them as my obligation as a housewife and the mother of 3. I used to look for joy outside my home: cultural events, vacations, shopping. Now I am learning to find joy in everything I do AT home and I love it! You've changed my mindset! In one of your books you mentioned that you would like to be the Madame Chic for your family. You ARE already! Please continue being such an inspiration, encouragement and a good example of always presentable, smart and positive woman, wife and mother. All the best and many blessings to you and your wonderful family!"
Oxana, thank you for your wonderful testimonial. I am so happy that the course has inspired you. It's so fun for me to connect with readers from all around the world!
Comment of the Week Barbara writes, "So today I dressed up for no reason. Since it's still very cool here in Toronto, Canada I wore a warm dress with tights and a pearl necklace to work. I work at a large University campus and one of my colleagues noticed. She said "I like that dress. It's very pretty!" Made me feel good. Thanks for this assignment Jennifer! I may repeat it again next week :)"
Barbara, thank you for checking in. I loved hearing your Chic Assignment findings!
I would love to read about your findings with this month's Chic Assignment. Leave your comment down below and your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on The Daily Connoisseur.
In today's bonus video we are talking about stress: what can cause it in our lives, and practical ways to combat it. When stress gets bad, it can manifest itself in various ways physically.
Some people might get bad skin, some might have other symptoms like eczema or various health problems as I discuss in today's video.
As I deal with stress I am finding what works for me in combating it. I would love for you to watch and join in on the discussion.
We have been playing backgammon with our kids. Playing games are a great way to de-stress. You will laugh, use your thinking skills, and be pulled in with the suspense. Teach your children to play these games too and they can play together when they are bored. My daughters love to play this together and my two-year-old son is interested in learning it. What a wonderful way for the children to spend their time instead of watching TV.
I like to use my rebounder to de-stress at night. Due to my sciatica, I have not been able to rebound for the past few weeks. I am looking forward to picking it up again.
The faux flower arrangement behind me is by Horchow.
I discuss so much more in today's video, these are only the applicable links.
As you know, I occasionally work with sponsors who help to support my channel. I would like to thank Skillshare for bringing us today's video. Skillshare is an online learning platform that has over 25,000 classes available. The first 500 people to sign up with my link will get two months of Skillshare premium for free. Thank you, Skillshare!
I hope you enjoy today's in-depth discussion. I'll see you tomorrow!
