PauselyThings to do when you're stressed
Calming things to do when you're stressed include practicing deep breathing, taking a cold shower, or going for a short walk in nature.
Stressed and bored is a specific, awful combination — under-stimulated mentally while over-stimulated physiologically.
Stress-reducing activities
12 activities
- wellness
Follow a 10-minute yoga flow
10–20 minmedium - wellness
Take a 15-minute walk outside
15–25 minmedium - fun
Play a 10-minute brain game
10–15 minlow - wellness
Make your favourite hot drink mindfully
5–10 minlow - wellness
Do a 5-minute full-body stretch
5–8 minlow - wellness
Do a 5-minute breathing exercise
4–7 minlow - wellness
Follow a 10-minute guided meditation
10–15 minlow - creative
Doodle freely for 10 minutes
10–15 minlow - wellness
Sit outside for 10 minutes without your phone
10–15 minlow - creative
Sketch something in your room from life
15–25 minmedium - creative
Build a playlist for your current mood
15–25 minmedium - learning
Go on a Wikipedia deep-dive on something you're curious about
10–20 minlow
Frequently asked questions
What should I do when I'm too stressed to focus?
Do something physical first: breath, stretch, cold water, or a short walk. Trying to 'just focus' on something mental when your body is stressed rarely works. Lower the physical stress first; focus returns on its own.
More idea lists
- ⚡
5-minute activities for when you're bored
- ⏱️
10-minute things to do with your free time
- 🕒
15-minute activities for free time