Reduce Stress By Chilling

When life gets busy, it can feel as though there is always something that needs our attention. Between work, family, and everyday responsibilities, taking time for ourselves is often the first thing we put aside.

In Reduce Stress By Chilling, Byron Pulsifer reminds us that relaxation is something we need to make time for, not just hope will happen. His message, along with the poem Take Time Just For You, encourages us to enjoy a little peace and make it a regular part of life.

But somewhere in your busy life, Remember what is true, You need a little time each week, A time that's just for you.

Updated October 19, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Reduce Stress By Chilling

We are not talking about chilling wine. We are talking about taking time to relax and reduce your stress, or, as young people sometimes say, to "chill out."

But simply telling yourself to chill out may only change how you appear to respond to a situation. To really reduce stress, you need to give yourself an opportunity to step away from daily pressures and enjoy something you love.

Block Off Time

Schedule time just for you, when you can do whatever you enjoy. Take a walk in the park, hike in the woods, work on a special project, or simply read a good book.

The secret is to block off a period of time for yourself. This means time that belongs to you, without having to meet the needs or expectations of your spouse, children, or friends.

If you are not sure what to do, sit down and make a list of activities or projects you would enjoy on your own. Choose something that makes you happy, and do your best not to let other commitments take its place.

At first, your schedule may be full of obligations. If so, begin with just two hours once a week. Even finding that much time can be a challenge, but it is a worthwhile place to start.

The Reason

The purpose of this time is to give yourself a chance to enjoy what you have chosen to do. Put aside the daily pressures, nagging worries, and thoughts about everything you still need to finish. Give your attention to the activity in front of you.

Relax, enjoy, and savor those two hours. Notice the moments that make you feel peaceful or content. Remember them, so that when another stressful day arrives, you can call those pleasant memories to mind.

As you become comfortable protecting this time, consider adding another two-hour period or setting aside half a day each week. Remember, this is your time to enjoy what matters to you, rather than doing what someone else expects.

If your spouse or partner feels left out, encourage them to set aside their own time for something they enjoy. Everyone can benefit from a little personal time.

Share With Others

You may also find it helpful to tell your partner or a friend about the joy and peace you experienced. Sometimes sharing a happy moment helps us appreciate it even more.

Most importantly, keep going. Continue setting aside these periods on your calendar. Other demands will always compete for your attention, and it is easy to give up the time you planned for yourself.

Persevere. The more regularly you make room for relaxation, the more opportunities you give yourself to step away from stress and enjoy life.

Take Time Just For You

Poet: Inspired by Byron Pulsifer

The days are filled with things to do,
And demands that never end,
There's work to finish, chores to do,
And time with family and friends.

But somewhere in your busy life,
Remember what is true,
You need a little time each week,
A time that's just for you.

Take a walk or read a book,
Enjoy the things you love,
Let go of all your daily stress,
And the worries you're thinking of.

Put this time upon your calendar,
And don't let it slip away,
For peace of mind and happiness
Deserve a place in every day.

When life's demands begin to grow,
And stress comes knocking at your door,
Remember those peaceful moments,
And the joy they had in store.

So make the time and keep it yours,
Let your mind and body renew,
For life becomes less stressful
When you take time just for you.

Quotes About Reducing Stress

These thoughts offer additional encouragement to rest, manage your time, and find ways to ease the pressures of everyday life.

We need downtime to recover. When we work for hours on end, even when we’re on a roll, performance can dwindle.
Allison Graham

Remember that stress doesn’t come from what’s going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what’s going on in your life.
Andrew J. Bernstein

Reconnect to what makes you happy and brings you Joy. If there is something that used to make you happy which you have stopped doing, do it again. Seek to find deeper meaning and significance rather than living on the surface.
Susan C. Young

A good way to overcome stress is to help others out of theirs.
Dada J. P. Vaswani

Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy, and rewarding life.
Marilu Henner

Studies have shown that those who take the time to smell the roses and view nature are able to lower their blood pressure and reduce their stress.
Salma Stockdale

When we commit to action, to actually doing something rather than feeling trapped by events, the stress in our life becomes manageable.
Greg Anderson

Learn to say no to demands, requests, invitations, and activities that leave you with no time for yourself. Until I learned to say no, and mean it, I was always overloaded by stress. You may feel guilty and selfish at first for guarding your down- time, but you’ll soon find that you are a much nicer, more present, more productive person in each instance you do choose to say yes.
Holly Mosier

Regular exercise can really help you to reduce your stress levels, anxiety and depression. When you exercise your brain releases endorphins.
Heather Rose

When stress feels overwhelming, it's important to find support and to take care of yourself while getting your stress level back to a manageable level.
Jessica Speer

Key Reflections On Reducing Stress

Make time for yourself.
Personal time does not always appear on its own. Set aside a little space in your week for something you enjoy.
Start with what is manageable.
You do not need an entire day to begin relaxing. Even a couple of hours once a week can be a helpful starting point.
Choose activities that bring you joy.
A walk, a book, or a favourite hobby can give you something pleasant to focus on. Pick what suits you rather than what others expect.
Protect your time.
Everyday responsibilities can quickly fill your calendar. Treat your planned time to relax as a commitment worth keeping.
Remember peaceful moments.
Pay attention to the times when you feel calm and content. Recalling those moments may help you regain perspective on a difficult day.

Popular Pages

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Conclusion

Reducing stress does not always require a big change in your life. Sometimes it begins with giving yourself permission to enjoy an hour or two without thinking about everything that still needs to be done.

Choose something you love, put it on your calendar, and do your best to keep that time for yourself. When you make relaxation a regular habit, you give yourself more opportunities to feel refreshed and better prepared for the days ahead.

Remember, taking time for yourself is not time wasted. It is time spent caring for your peace of mind.

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