Stress Buster Activity: 30 Quick Ideas to Awaken Your Inner Child

Last updated on September 25th, 2023

Stress is a dark space in your mind. If it is not taken care of, it can make a permanent place in your mind. Chronic stress is very harmful to your body and mind. Therefore, it is important not to take life too seriously and awaken the child from time to time by doing some stress buster activity.

It’s not easy to keep your inner child awake in this hectic and cruel world. But…it’s not impossible either! Don’t let yourself feel sad and lonely when you have some amazing activities to do.

You can take baby steps to feel baby-like from your busy life. Here are some easy-to-follow, quick and quirky stress buster activities and ideas that will help you beat your daily stress and help to re-energize yourself from the daily hustle-bustle.

Stress Buster Activities To Awaken The Child Within

Stress buster activity 1: Blow the bubbles

Don’t bubbles bring you back to your sweet childhood memories? Who doesn’t like bubble play? As a kid, you must have played with bubbles. But don’t think they are just for toddlers. You can always escape the pressure of adulthood by blowing the bubbles.

They are nostalgic and sporty. You may not realize but once you start a bubble play, you are going to feel like a kid again. When you feel crushed by the burden of heavy duties, take a bubble break to de-stress yourself and help your heart!

And yes, they can prove to be an effective stress management technique. They help to regulate shallow breathing caused by a prolonged build-up of stress, anxieties, and frustrations. Like meditation, bubble play is a stress-busting exercise that promotes regulated deep breathing.

As we all know, short breaths filled with anxiety are not good for health. So, when you find yourself sandwiched amidst the hassle of your hectic life, plan some entertainment exercises of blowing bubbles.

You can also plan bubble show activities and bubble challenges with your friends and family. You would spend a quite entertaining day full of bliss and delectation.

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Stress buster activity 2: Swinging on a swing

Swinging on a swing is absolute fun. It is good for your mood and is a great fun exercise that can make you burn 200 calories in one hour of swing. The best thing is this fun workout can make you feel like a kid again.

What is more interesting is there is the ‘Sawan Jhula (swing)’ festival celebrated with a lot of fanfare in India in the rainy season of Sawan every year. It is a religious affair and swinging on a swing in temples and homes is considered an auspicious thing.

So, why in Sawan only? You can enjoy it anytime as an exercise or a stress buster activity. There are several exercises you can do on a swing to improve your fitness journey.

Stress buster idea 3: Fun Water Games

Born in India, water games have been an important part of my childhood. There is an official water game festival called ‘Holi‘ celebrated in India with water and colour.

But I am talking about playing water games on Holi and as a summer sport for kids only. It should be on your list of quick stress buster activities.

Like any other form of the game, water games is good for your mind and body. The serene quality of the water improves your mood and curbs your stress.

You can get more ideas about fun water sports games for kids and adults by googling.

Stress buster activity 4: Listen to childhood songs

Songs trigger memories. When you listen to music from your childhood, it transports you back in space and time. You remind me of those memories of how you played with your siblings, how your parents loved you, how your mother cooked food for you.

The deep connection that music creates with those sweet fights and a wide range of joyful memories dilutes the bitterness you are feeling within yourself in the present. You feel the warmth of the love your parents gave you again.

As per my experience, listening to a childhood song is a powerful stress buster activity that works almost all the time.

Stress buster activity 5: Walk in the rain

Which kid doesn’t like walking in the rain? At least I did! I loved getting wet in the rain and still do. But during childhood, we were not allowed to have fun and enjoy the rain because of the fear of falling ill.

But do you know rain is good for health also? Yes, it improves your mental health. The humidity of rain keeps your skin young, fresh, and supple.

So, when it rains, don’t hide in your room. Enjoy the beauty and soothing sound of rain. You can also make a mini waterfall at home.

Stress buster idea 6: Watch butterflies

We all used to feel delighted to watch butterflies when we were kids. For me, it was always an amazing experience spending time in my aunt’s garden and watching the conversation of butterflies.

I still remember how delightful moments were when I used to chase the butterflies with the willingness of catching them and play with them.

Now, when I don’t find time for this, I have discovered new ways to watch the butterflies. I download the live butterfly wallpapers and feel close to them. It curbs my stress. This is my favourite stress buster activity when I feel alone and sad.

According to David Attenborough president of Butterfly Conservation, watching butterflies is good for mental health.

Stress buster activity 7: Be creative

During your childhood, you used to colour your books, and draw figures on your artbook without feeling the fear of getting judged.

Why not try the same now? Try new and unfamiliar things.

Like painting walls but never tried? Want to play the guitar but never got the time? Love dancing but you don’t know how to dance?

This is the time….now is the time. Have a mindset of a child who does everything being carefree. Make something creative using your passion.

And you know creativity is one of the most effective stress buster activities to channel your energy towards something good. Creativity is good for your emotional and physical health.

Stress buster idea 8: Cry like a kid

I know you have been taught to stay strong and look strong. But it is okay to be vulnerable. You can be fragile and cry out like a kid if something is troubling you hard.

Nothing is wrong with crying like a child. Sometimes it’s very healthy to release your stress and feel free.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Remember, we all cried when we were babies. Also remember, we are not stones, we are living beings with emotions.

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Stress buster idea 9: Cancel your plans

Why so disciplined always? You are not a robot, are you? And that’s the beauty and power of being a human. You have all the power in the world to cancel the planned things.

Feel free like a child. Unburden yourself from the responsibilities for a day. Do whatever you want to do. Don’t let anyone judge you. Dress differently, try weird things and be awesome.

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Stress buster idea 10: A nap on your Mother’s lap

A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. – Victor Hugo

That’s so true! Mother’s arms are the safest place on earth and they are always welcoming. She never judges you and always forgives you for your mistakes.

So, feeling lost and wanting to get pampered like a child again? There is no better place than your mother’s lap. You will never return with the same stressed mind.

Read,

How to control negative thoughts

Idea 11: A Laughing yoga session

Have you noticed the laughter of a child which is so contagious that it is hard to resist? A child smiles at everyone without any reason.

So, forget your worries today and practice laughing for no reason. A laughing yoga session or a laughing class can help you in this regard. Consider taking one such class today.

A session of laughter yoga triggers the release of endorphins which are a group of hormones responsible for boosting your happiness. Hence, doing a laughing yoga session is a powerful stress-buster technique.

Stress buster idea 12: Play with kids

Want to feel childlike again? There is no better way to feel it than playing with kids yourself. You can play with your kids if you have or you can go to your neighbours to spend time with their children.

Many people believe that playing with kids is an efficient stress-buster technique. Moreover, kids have a divine-like scent that can make your mood happy and cheerful.

Sometimes, one innocent smile works like magic that makes you forget all your problems for a minute.

Stress buster idea 13: Fly a kite

Flying kites is a favourite childhood pastime in India and around the world. In India, there is also a kite flying festival ‘Makar Sankranti’ celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

It is a great way of socializing, celebrating our happiness, getting close to nature and exercising. It is a mindful stress buster activity that not only curbs the stress but offers physical benefits also.

You might not realize but it is good for eye health because gazing at the blue sky is good for your eyes. It is good for the neck because it encourages the flexibility of ligaments and increases bone metabolism, which can prevent cervical disease.

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Idea 14: Play with wind chimes or instruments

It may look childish to you, but it can be a quick stress buster at times. The gentle sound of wind chimes leaves a positive impact on the brain. The soothing music that emanates from tickling their gongs can make you calm and composed thereby making them a stress-buster tool.

They are also known for suppressing ill luck and bad energies. Hang them on your room window, so that when you are stressed out, you can play with them.

You should also try playing with drums or a wind instrument when you are stressed out. Science says, playing a musical instrument or listening to music can improve brain function (ref).

Read,

• 15 Quotes To Lift Your Mood Instantly
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Stress buster idea 15: Try video games

Remember the childhood time when you bunked the classes to play your favourite video games? Being a 90’s kid, video games were an important part of my childhood. I was so much into video games that my mother had to restrict my access to them 3 months before my final exams.

If you have grown up playing video games, you would also feel nostalgia for playing them again. It will take back to the sweet memories of childhood and help you relieve your stress.

So, try playing video games or other childhood games like kho-kho, climbing a tree, catch-catch.

Other Quick Stress Buster Ideas & Activities To Re-energize Yourself

Idea 16: Chant ‘OM’

Om is not only a word created out of our rich Indian past, but it also refers to the soul. It has many therapeutic  It has amazing therapeutic and psychological benefits that heal your mind and soul. Even science has agreed on the greatness of OM. It is mentioned in Vedas as everything begins from and ends with OM.

The sound of the Universe is OM. The supreme reality is OM. It was always there and always will be and can not be created. You attract positive vibrations when you chant OM. Chanting and listening to OM helps you connect with the most spiritual and powerful source when you listen to it.

What could be more positive, more beneficial and more energetic than chanting OM?

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Stress buster idea 17: Soak some morning Sun

Get 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight every day. It was found during various scientific surveys that exposure to sunlight is good for both physical and mental health.

Soaking some morning sun heals skin diseases, boosts immunity, improves bone health and brain function, builds strong bones, promotes weight loss, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes and cancers, prevents the deficiency of vitamin D, can promote eye health, boosts your mood and curbs the depression.

Idea 18: Walk barefoot on grass

Early studies are showing that earthing or walking barefoot on soil or grass gives remarkable health advantages. It is because of the relationship between our bodies and the natural charge energy of the electrons of our planet.

These drawing electrons improve health and mood. In various surveys, earthing was found to improve sleep quality, heart rate function, and glucose regulation, reducing pain in chronic pain patients and curbing depression.

Also, walking barefoot strengthens your feet by improving flexor(a foot muscle) strength which is beneficial for people who have flat feet.

Stress buster idea 19: Dance

Dancing is an excellent form of exercise. If you don’t feel like exercising any day, dance. Dancing increases your fitness levels by saving you from boredom and boosting your mood as well.

There is a myriad of health benefits of dancing. Researchers found dancing improves the condition of your heart and lungs, boosting endurance, flexibility, muscular tone &  strength, aerobic fitness, and overall fitness.

Dancing is an enjoyable way to manage weight, strengthen bones, reduce the risk of several diseases like osteoporosis & chronic depression and get better coordination and agility.

Idea 20: Feed birds

There are several benefits of feeding birds. One is you can spend time with nature and hear the chirping of birds. Science has shown the mental health benefits of listening to the chirping of birds.

Secondly, birds help in controlling insects. Feeding birds on your balcony invites them to feast on worms, snails, and spiders. Thus, they are good for the environment.

Stress buster idea 21: Relaxing water sounds

The sound of flowing water soothes your brain thus helping to avoid stress. If you live by the sea, sit there to let go of your anxiety with the flowing water. But if you don’t live in coastal areas, download or listen to the sound of flowing water on your smartphone.

According to scientific studies, the sound of water has positive effects on your mental health. Meditators have been using water sounds to create a soothing atmosphere for ages.

Idea 22: Walk in the woods

The mental health benefits of walking in the woods are:

• gives you a chance to break from your hectic life
• you get close to nature
• scents of the forest may reduce stress
• nostalgic feeling
• enjoy the beauty and peace of the forest
• you get a chance to hear your inner self
• greeneries are good for your mental health

Stress buster idea 23: Smell roses

The mental health benefits of smelling roses are:

• the pleasant aroma of roses gives aphrodisiac effects
• smelling them before bedtime promotes restful sleep
• uplifts your mood
• anti-depression

Idea 24: Sleep under the stars

The mental health benefits of sleeping under the stars are:

• fresh air to improve your mood
• natural light for better sleep
• waking up under the sunlight makes you more energetic
• increase immunity levels (as per a Japanese study)

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Stress buster idea 25: Throw stones into the water

The mental health benefits of throwing rocks into water are:

• you release your anger without harming anyone
• interaction with nature
• self-talk without getting disturbed by anyone
• calm water makes you calm down
• you can enjoy the beauty of water flowers

Stress buster idea 26: Watching the moonlight

The mental health benefits of watching moonlight are:

• like sunlight, it provides vitamin D
• mood-boosting endorphins helping to curb stress
• nitric oxide to help lower blood pressure
• regular exposure to moonlight helps to regulate the menstrual cycle in women
• lowers anxiety

Idea 27: Foot soaks

Dipping your feet in the water offers several benefits:

• regulates body temperature
• relieves muscle tension
• alleviate mental tension
• helps to get rid of stress by relaxing your mind
• increases white cell activity
• helps remove toxins from your skin cells

Idea 28: Visit a temple

Mental health benefits of visiting temples are:

• connect with supreme energy
• sounds of temple bells improve your brain function
• you get a positive vibration
• you give your tensions to God through prayers
• your chakras get activated
• temple flames please your senses.

Stress buster idea 29: Spirituality

The mental health benefits of spirituality are:

• it frees you from your fears thus alleviating your tensions
• you get solutions to your problems
• positive shlokas increase the flow of good energy
• improves social connections
• boosts self-confidence

Idea 30: Exercise & yoga

Mental health benefits of exercise & yoga are:

• causes release of endorphins – a group of hormones responsible for uplifting your mood
• improves sleep quality
• decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety
• boosts self-confidence
• improves blood circulation
• make you feel light and energetic

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If you liked the article, share it with someone you care about and help them stay mentally healthy and in a positive mood!