According to a list—that of course I found when doing a search (the irony is not lost)—"How to get rid of stress" was one of the top searched phrases in 2021. If you're like me, coming out of 2020, you might have thought that 2021 has to be better. I am determined to welcome 2022 with a great deal more optimism than I had going into 2021. After all, it's what is ahead that matters. Of course, a lot of it comes down to how we look at each moment, and what we do in those moments to turn a tough day, week, month, or year into something positive.
From a book lover's perspective, all one has to do to feel better is read more books. Simple thinking, to be sure, but true. There are many ways to reduce stress that don't involve spending a lot of money (or any money) or spending hours searching the internet every time our anxiety levels take a jump.
These are my 5 Surefire Ways to Smile More, and in the process, reduce stress. It helps to incorporate them into daily life, and hopefully combat stress before it has a chance to overwhelm.
Time in Nature
"Any question you ever have, the answer you will find in nature." Those who have seen The Power of One should recognize that line, and it has always been one of my favorites. Nature holds within all its wonders and beauty the answers to life questions, the calm to everyday stress, and the power of hope within every drop of water, rustle of leaves, and burst of sunshine. The secret? One must listen to what Nature is trying to tell us. Walking in a park, hiking a mountain, or planting flowers . . . the possibilities to commune with nature are vast.
Reading
We book lovers already know that reading can cure what ails us. When we need an escape from the world, are stuck in bed with an illness, or have a yen to travel afar from the comfort of home, reading can take us on any adventure we could ever imagine. Don't just take my word for it. Science, and those super smart scientists behind science, have said more than once that reading is good for the mind.
Learning Something New
Whether you want to cook, draw, ski, or climb Everest, learning a new skill keeps the mind busy, endorphins up, and can combat stress. It is tough for stress to take hold of our minds when they are busy with far more productive tasks.
Baking (or Whatever Pastime You Enjoy)
This one can go hand-in-hand with "Learn Something New." While it's always nice to add to our arsenal of skills, it is also relaxing to do what we already enjoy. For me, that is usually baking a favorite treat or trying out a new recipe. The familiararity of measuring ingredients, kneading dough, or listening to the mixer's whirring clears my mind. Do you love putting together puzzles? How about knitting, sewing, or woodworking? Whatever you enjoy, turn to it as a productive and positive way to combat times of stress.
Doing Good Deeds
Stress can stem from one or more of a dozen (or ten dozen) of things, and none of them pleasant. Performing a good deed or act of kindness for someone else is one of the absolute best ways, in my opinion, to combat stress. When one thinks of someone else, and couples that with a kind act, one usually becomes more grateful for all they have, and whatever caused the stress is often minimized in comparison to what someone else is going through. In the process of helping others, we have the chance to lessen the burden of another, bring a smile to their face, or share what we may have more of than them. Killing stress through kindness . . . doesn't get better than that.
& More
Keeping a journal, meditation, yoga, decorating, writing, singing, and so much more could have been added to the list, but if I kept going with every single thing that helps with stress, it would be longer than a Google search list.
Be well, friends, and never stop believing in what you can do to help make the world a better place.
—MK
Disclaimer: I am a writer, not a medical or mental health professional, and the thoughts in this post are my opinions, not professional advice.
The original post was from 2017, but it so happens that we're having another lovely arctic winter, and so much of what I said then applies now. It has been too cold to spend any great length of time outside taking photos, so I've rounded up some of my favorite winter pictures from over the past several years. Enjoy!
*Original post with slight modifications*
While many are bemoaning the cold snap we're getting in Montana, I couldn't be more pleased. I read somewhere that it's the coldest winter in 28 years (2018-2020 were quite mild, so hopefully winter 2022 stays strong). I haven't looked at all the data from the last 28 years, but research for my books in the 1800s revealed that winter could be far worse. Imagine the kind of cold we've had so far this year—fairly mild compared to some winters I've experienced—and consider making it through without central heating systems and automobiles that take you from point A to B much faster than a horse, wagon, or train could manage.
As much as I talk about how much I would like to travel back in time, I'm grateful for hot running water, pipes that don't freeze, and central heating. Of course, given the chance, I'd probably still trade it in for life with the Gallaghers at Hawk's Peak (still true!).
When someone asks me if it's cold outside, I tell them to step and out and then they'll know, and I find it more accurate than just looking it up online. It was cold, to be sure, but invigorating. I was bundled up in a couple of layers beneath my heavy coat and braced myself against a wind that happened to blow through. I stomped the snow off my boots before removing them and stepping back inside. The warm air hit me and I basked in it as I removed the layers. As I tugged on my house slippers, I realized I had a big smile on my face.
There's something comforting about winter for me. Autumn is and always will be my favorite season, but winter gives me a kind of joy I can't quite put into words. I can't say the Gallaghers of Hawk's Peak or the townsfolk of Briarwood, Crooked Creek, or Whitcomb Springs would agree with me considering winter life for them was much more difficult. Then again, I like to think that the same feeling I get when I'm walking through the snow and facing down the elements is the same feeling they had. I could be wrong, but since it's my imagination, I'll let myself think what I want.
Of course there's nothing so wonderful as curling up by the fire with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. It's my ultimate winter pastime. What's yours?
What's Coming in 2022?
The writing room desk is full, though there's nothing specific as of yet on my Coming Next page because I have a lot of projects in the works and I don't have set release dates for any of them at this point. I can tell you that I'm currently focused on the first Crooked Creek novel (Clara's full story), a new Montana Gallagher/Briarwood book, Casey McKenzie's next adventure, and a Christmas installment in the British Agent series. I don't write them all at once, but while writing one I am researching and doing general plot points on the others.
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If you're not too cold yet, below is more winter. These pictures are best viewed with a cup of cocoa in one hand and a book picked out ready to read in the other.
Updated: Mar 12
Variations of coffee cake are popular in the Gallagher family, and at Tilly's Cafe in Briarwood. This one is a variation on the Huckleberry Coffee Cake. I was in the mood for something a little different, and a dash of extra spice, so the apple variation was born.
As I write this, snow covers the ground outside and the mercury is closing in on 19°F, so apples aren't the obvious choice for a dessert this time of year. Thank goodness for canning, which is how someone in the 1880s would have apples during the long winter months. Huckleberries around here have a short season, so we buy them by the gallon and freeze them in small containers, which means huckleberries any time of the year. Blueberries are a great substitution in this recipe.
Every bite of this cake is bursting with huckleberry and apple flavor and plenty of cinnamon and spice. It's really quite delicate and airy, and the addition of applesauce makes it oh-so-moist. Serve with hot cocoa, herbal tea, or coffee for a delicious treat at breakfast, lunch, or even after dinner for dessert.
This cake also pairs remarkably well with a great Christmas story. Enjoy!
For your convenience, you can download it here.
If you try this recipe, I hope you'll let me know how it worked out!
