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But...it's still fantastic. Granted, I'm biased, because I love (almost) anything British, but even objectively this slogan has such a simple, healthy message. Don't panic; move forward. Take a breath; keep going. The idea actually does calm me down.
It also makes me wish I could be back in London.
If you didn't guess, today threw some major stress bombs at me from all over the place. When I got home from work, I needed a break from school-related work, so I spent almost two hours cleaning the house. I'm sure there's a psychological connection there--I feel like I'm not in control so I take charge of the stuff I can control? I clean the house to convince myself I'm actually organized?--but I'm not going to read into it.
When Terry got home, I was more than ready for our run. Given the late workout, we switched our Tuesday and Wednesday plans and tackled 3 miles today, though they weren't particularly speedy (6.3 mph average, not even our target 10K speed, but oh well). I also added some stretching before calling it a day and cooking dinner.
Thankfully, cooking feels therapeutic for me, too, especially when I have a glass of syrah and Cougar Town on in the background. Tonight's meal: eggplant and spinach pasta casserole. I completely forgot to buy mozzarella, so I mixed in some ricotta and sprinkled Parmesan on top for cheesy deliciousness. I promise to post a picture and perhaps a more detailed recipe tomorrow for WIAW--my camera is too far away right now. (Yep, it's been that kind of day!)
Okay, some other ways I love to relieve stress, because it will relax me before bed on this so-glad-it's-over-and-I-know-tomorrow-will-be-better day:
- Hanging out with my husband.
- Hanging out with my crazy kitten.
In this photo, Scout couldn't play with his old toys; he had to drag out the new toys--still on the cardboard.
- Reading, although sometimes reading stresses me out more because I feel like I should be doing something else.
- Working on a puzzle. That feeling of getting a piece to fit is indescribable.
- Organizing my classroom.
- Planning workouts.
- Daydreaming about vacations.
But ultimately, I know it will pass, and I know tomorrow will be better. I'm already looking forward to some time with my coworkers after school and a much less crazy day.
What's your favorite way to wind down at the end of a rough day?
By the way, if you're curious, the "Keep calm and carry on" slogan started as a morale-booster in Great Britain at the start of WWII, but it never received any public display. It was rediscovered 13 years ago and has become a wild craze--mostly on Pinterest.
Not to state to obvious... but a deep glass of red wine and something in the tune of chocolate can do the trick. ;)
ReplyDeleteHope your day is better tomorrow!
Yoga and running are usually my favorite way to destress after a crazy day. If I can't get to that right away, I'll just vent to my hubs and that makes it a little bit better.
ReplyDeletei love daydreaming about vacations too! but my go to stress busters are baking and a hefty glass of wine. sorry i'm not sorry. hope today is less stressful!
ReplyDeleteRunning is my go to wind down, especially have a stressful day.
ReplyDeleteanimals are the BEST stress relief!!!
ReplyDeleteAHHHH reading.
ReplyDeleteseriously so many days it starts in the early am and I count down the hours till some QUIET READING TIME!
I "hunt the good stuff" at the end of each day which helps me put things in perspective. I wrote a post on it earlier this week. :) Hope today is better for you!
ReplyDeleteI have those days too. I usually spend my time at the gym, and with my husband! I clean too, when I'm overwhelmed :).
ReplyDeleteCleaning the house does sound like a good stress reliever! I love taking a relaxing Epsom salt bath with about 5 drops of peppermint oil, a candle lit and listen to a meditation station on Pandora :)
ReplyDeleteTaking a bath and getting into my PJs! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way about reading as a stress reliever--I also get the "I should be doing something else" feeling. I like to create new training plans or plan things that won't happen (like my "if I were a teacher" board on Pinterest even though I'm going to be an audiologist. Much more productive than reading.)
ReplyDeletegosh i think this week is the week of work stress for all of us, glad you got to destress with a run!
ReplyDeleteI've been taking a look at myself lately and I don't like how I've been reacting to so many situations with anger, irritation or judgement. I don't have a lot of answers as to how to do better, but the 'fake it till you make it' mantra has me stopping to try to smile in spite of whatever is happening. The next thing I know, I'm seeing that I'm actually quite privileged. My kids are making a mess and not listening? => I've actually got a wonderful family. Job stress => I'm doing what I'm trained to do, and it's keeping a roof over my head and food on my plate, etc.
ReplyDeleteGetting lost in a good book or just snuggling on the couch with Peter are definitely ways I like to wind down. Sorry you had a stressful day!
ReplyDeletePS - I clean when feeling that way too. I started doing it as a distraction from binges a long time ago and I still do it now when stressed.
I am so go go go during the week that running is my wind down.
ReplyDeleteOn weekend I love to read in bed or watch TV/movie on the couch since I don't get to do that much during the week.