Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
As busy and stressed as I was this week, I managed to take some time to book my ticket home and I immediately started dreaming about all the stress-free days to come while I’m in Trinidad.
I’m generally a lot less stressed when I go back home, and I always put that down to being on vacation. I’ve been ‘on vacation’ in Canada before though and the stress just kind of stays with me anyway. But, As soon as I even get a glimpse of Trinidad from the plane, I can feel my worries drifting away. Even when I know I have weeks of Christmas shopping to fit into one day, or a report to finish before I got back to school, I’m instantly at ease.
Why? Cuz it’s a cultural thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that all Caribbean people magically know how to deal with stress. But Caribbean people, in general, have a more laid back approach to life that doesn’t really lend itself to being stressed out all the time.
There are these little things that Caribbean people do naturally, that just make it easier to reduce stress everyday. They may seem completely obvious, but coming from someone who lived it for 18+ years and was all of a sudden thrust into a completely different lifestyle and left floundering, they help a lot.
How to Reduce Stress the Caribbean Way
1. Surround yourself with people you love (or at least like)
This one seems like a no-brainer but it’s pretty easy to overlook. At home I’m so used to being with my family all the time and just sitting around laughing and talking. I never noticed how much that family time helped to reduce stress but losing it was pretty hard to get used to. ‘m pretty sure I Skyped my mother multiple times a day when I was in first year.
Now I’ve got my family of friends to turn to when I need that connection. But, it’s important to remember that you don’t need all. the. friends. Being around people who annoy you or ask too much of you all the time will just make you even more stressed.
2. Give yourself a break
It’s so easy to get bogged down by all the things we have to do, all the people who depend on us etc. But it’s important to take a little time for you. You could go for a walk, hole up with a book, relax with a glass of wine – whatever. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you do something you love to do that will help you recharge and reduce stress.
3. Listen to music to relax
Music is one of my favourite ways to reduce stress. It’s easy to fall into the trap of listening to ‘tabanka’ music (sad/love-dovey music for the non-Trini readers) when you’re sad, upset or stressed. But honestly it usually doesn’t do anything but make you more sad and adds to your stress. So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed try some reggae music or some groovy soca and let the music just take your troubles away.
4. Have fun wherever you go
Like I said before, being around people you like help reduce stress – but only if you’re enjoying yourself. So if you ever find yourself out and bored to tears, you bring the fun and make it interesting. Find a pack of cards, or some dominoes, or a board game or just sit around telling stories from the ‘ole time days’. Trust me, it makes for a much better time than stressing about how bored you were or all the things you could be doing elsewhere.
5. Relax and don’t worry
And my personal favourite: Don’t sweat the small stuff. There’s always going to be something you CAN’T control. So why not just let it be instead of worrying about it endlessly and getting even more stressed? Sometimes you just need to go with the flow and see what happens. If it was meant to be it will happen, and if it doesn’t you can usually deal with it another time.
Bonus: Go to the Beach
Probably not the best time of year to mention this, especially since many of you don’t live in tropical islands, but it wouldn’t be a list of Caribbean relaxation tips if a trip to the beach wasn’t included. Sometimes the only thing that can take your stress away is an hour or two or even a day at the beach. Sand beneath your feet, sea breeze in your hair and the sound of the waves to calm your soul. Sounds like paradise to me.
What about you?
How do you reduce stress in your life? Are there any more stress relief tricks you can find in the Caribbean lifestyle?
Share in the comments below!
Get Social with me on:
Facebook – Diary of an Ex-Sloth
Twitter – @ExSloth
Pinterest – @ExSloth
Instagram – @ExSloth
Google+ – +GiselleRochford
Bloglovin – Diary of an ExSloth
This post was included in the following linkups: Friday Favorites, #FFavorites, Fitness Friday, Friday Five, Weekly Wrap Up, FYI Friday, Did you know
I tried commenting, but I don’t think it went through. Sorry if this is a duplicate!
Great tips! 🙂
Or just plan a vacation to the Caribbean.
The planning might not be stress-free, but who wouldn’t love the vacation?!
Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course recently posted…Tuesday’s Tip #3 – How to Drink More Water
HAHA awesome idea Clarinda but yep it gets tedious and stressful just thinking of planning the trip and I live there lol
GiselleR recently posted…Eggplant Pizza Subs Recipe & 7 Day CleanEating Challenge
As a Canadian who has been living in Barbados for over 3 years now, I can totally relate to this post! At first, the slow, relaxed pace of the Caribbean life was so frustrating. But now, I’m used to it, and whenever I’m back in Toronto I wonder why everyone is so angry and in such a rush. The Caribbean folks have the right idea! Slow down and relax.
Ree recently posted…top 10 reasons to be an expat
HaHa! I know exactly what you mean! Toronto is still a struggle for me whenever I visit 😕 lol
GiselleR recently posted…Reduce Stress with 5 Tips from Caribbean Living
Good tips! Music almost always does the trick for me to unwind and lower the volume on the stress noise. It works even better if I plug myself into the iPod and dance along. Hi from Sharefest 🙂
T.Dashfield recently posted…Birdwing Butterfly
I can’t believe I forgot dancing!!! I’m pretty sure that’s the #1 stress reliever in the Caribbean lol
Thanks for stopping by 😀
GiselleR recently posted…Rock Climbing Adventures – Grand River Rocks
A great post and some great tips!
In some ways I’m chilled and then in others I let stress get on top of me. Some of my stress is due to bad organisation.
Over from SITS sharefest.
Your blog looks great and interesting.
Kate 🙂
Kate recently posted…The Crafty Side of Me: Mini wallet and pencil case.
Lack of organization is probably the number reason for most of my stress lol so I totally feel ya Kate 😉
Thanks for stopping by and glad you like the blog 😀
GiselleR recently posted…Rock Climbing Adventures – Grand River Rocks
Good tips! Keeping my home organized and not allowing myself to run late are big helps for me.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Precision Nutrition Program Review
Cool!
This was really fun to read! My parents are West Indian (Jamaican and Guyanese), and I was born in T.O. You are so right, although I’m sure I’d find the Caribbean pace frustrating for a while if I lived there! 🙂
Stacy @ Anastasia Vintage recently posted…10 Fabulous Freebie Furniture Makeovers + Freebie Hunting Tips!
The pace itself actually isn’t that slow compared to Canada as far as I can tell, it’s just that Caribbean people (Trinis especially) know when to stop and take a breather to avoid burnout. That’s an ability I lost for a bit after moving here.
Also, glad to meet another Caribbean-connected person in the blogging world! There are actually way more than I expected 🙂
Great tips that everyone can use, I am still riding the marathon high, but when it disappears I will definitely incorporate these to reduce stress!
Toni @runninglovingliving recently posted…NYC Marathon Expo #TCSNYCMarathon
How awesome that you ran the NYC Marathon Toni! I’d probably still be riding that high as well (if I wasn’t still sleeping it off, since I’m not a runner haha)
Haha, love this! Much much needed 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 11/7/14
Oh how I would love to go somewhere warm while it’s so cold everywhere. Maybe after the holidays are over.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…How to Stay On Track During the Rough Patches
Wish i had a beach (and warm weather) to relax on. Great tips! Thanks for linking up this month!
Emily @SinfulNutrition recently posted…Does Vitamin C Help Exercise Induced Asthma?
Thanks for hosting Emily!
go to the beach is my fav but i can’t do that on a regular basis – sad face 🙁 love this list!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Ways to Stay Healthy During Holidays
You’re from Trinidad? I live in Barbados!
Jenny recently posted…21 Journal Prompts [ Guest Post ]
Yep! I moved to Canada for university a little over 4 years ago! Small world 😀
Great tips! Working out, deep breathes, and diffusing lavender oils help me relax.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Fit & Fashionable Friday Link Up#1
Yes, North Americans aren’t the best at relaxing. Although, living in a culture that is a little too good at relaxing makes me realize some of the stress of living in the States 🙂 BALANCE! Fun list. Enjoy your trip home!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Winter Root Vegetable Soup
The beach will do it every time! Thanks for linking up with Fitness Friday by including a link back in your post? Thanks so much!
jill conyers recently posted…7 Ideas To Get Moving During the Workday
The beach is SUCH a bonus, but I agree with all of these. You’re going to have a wonderful stress free break–just the way it should be.
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Spiced Pear Cocktail
You are so freaking cute. Can I come to Trinidad with you? I need a vacay.
Cassie recently posted…Now Trending – Best Links Week of 11.3
man I wish I live on or near the beach… perhaps I need to get on this! thanks for linking up with us!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Healthy Holidays!
I love this! I wrote a similar post a while back about the Japanese, and what I learned from their culture (not so much the business men types but the older generations!) and how they seem to ‘slow down’ a lot more – and be better off for it! I’d love to go to the Caribbean – and I’m sure the rum would de-stress me too ;D
Cat recently posted…What Was Good This Week: Four Agreements I’m Making With Myself
Agreed, so, so much! <3 Especially with the music!
Farrah recently posted…November Blog Challenge (#12-#13)
This is such a fun post! Please take me with you when you go back?? I’m not a fan with how freaking cold, snowy and DARK it is already here in Minnesota!!
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…:: SHS Link-Up #2 :: Crockpot Taco Chili + Corn Muffins
Awesome post. I like reducing stress tips quite much. Would try them out. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post. Thumbs up!
Great. Spending some time in the pool can as well be of great help to relieve stress. Thanks for sharing
Clark recently posted…Best hunting bow of all time
Don’t worry be happy. If we’re surrounded with good people, the odd is we would be always in a good mood.
Aden Falcon recently posted…5 Ways to Deal with Business Depression
Thankyou for sharing the nice blog this blog is more helpful for me.
I completely agree that being in beach and enjoying the slow and stress free life of carideans is the best anti dote to stress.
John Gatesby recently posted…How hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affects Parasympathetic and Sympathetic (P&S) System?
Sports are the best method for me to unwind and de-stress. However, after being diagnosed with covid, the doctor advised me not to participate in sports for a while. I’m feeling awful and empty. I assumed these were post-COVID effects, but calmerry com shown that I had burnout and don’t know how to deal with it without sports. I’ll attempt to take a trip to the sea and sun, hoping that vitamin D can help me recover from my ailment.