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Relief
You feel like a massive weight just got lifted off your shoulders. Relief is that whoooosh of release when something you were dreading is finally over, or when you find out that things are actually going to be okay. It's your nervous system saying 'stand down, we're safe now.'
What does relief feel like in your body?
- •A big exhale you didn't know you were holding
- •Shoulders dropping away from your ears
- •Feeling suddenly tired as tension leaves your body
- •Tears of relief — crying because you're not stressed anymore
Common triggers
- •Getting test results back and they're fine
- •A difficult conversation going better than expected
- •Finishing a huge project or deadline
- •Finding out you didn't lose something important
Journaling prompts for when you feel relief
- What's something you've been carrying that you need relief from?
- Think about the last time you felt relief — what were you afraid of, and what actually happened?
- What would it feel like to let go of something you've been holding onto too tightly?
Healthy ways to cope with relief
1. After a stressful period, give yourself permission to actually rest and recover
2. Notice what your body does when it relaxes — that's your baseline to return to
3. Celebrate the end of hard things; don't just immediately jump to the next stressor
Related emotions
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