De-Stressing Strategies

Being a Pokemon trainer isn't easy. There are many stressers out there pushing you to be the best there ever was, to train only the top tier Pokemon and movesets, and to always be on the move.

While that's not necessarily a bad thing, and healthy competition is not something to hide from, things can get overwhelming quickly.

All of us, from breeders to trainers to coordinators, have experienced times of overwhelm or discouragement. What one does with those feelings is incredibly important. Taking time for mental health is essential.

Below is a list of strategies that I have personally found helpful in relaxing and quieting my brain down for some much needed mental health rest.

Please take care of yourself!

Sensory Items

Plushies

Not all Pokemon are snuggle bugs and that's okay. Always respect their boundaries. In cases where you just need a hug, a plush friend is the perfect solution. Give them a nice squeeze for however long you need it.

Focus on the texture of their fur, their weight, their size, their scent, and their shape.

Weighted Blankets

These are lovely to sleep with at night, especially when it gets dark and cold. Even in the day when you need a little time to lay down and relax, these can help you stay grounded.

Focus on their texture, scent, and weight. Allow them to give you a nice warm hug on a stressful day.

Squishy Toys

On days that get so frustrating that you want to scream at anyone who walks by, little squishy toys are a wonderful way to take out frustrations. They can be squeezed until completely flat and puff up again for round two.

They also can be helpful in staying grounded as you can focus on the material stretching or the liquid swishing around.

Fidget Toys

These come in a large variety of forms with various textures. Some examples are fidget cubes with buttons and switches on all sides, rubber bubble poppers, squishy colour sorting games, and beads on tracks.

Having these in your hands can help calm the mind and slow down thoughts. They even can help prevent more unhealthy coping methods such as picking skin or hair.

Even something like an old cell phone with clicky buttons can be extremely soothing.

Lights

Flashlights or pen lights can be calming to watch as you move them back and forth. Keep your head still as your eyes following the path.

Fiber optic lights offer a rainbow of colours and the texture of each piece can be soothing when you run it across your skin.

It's highly recommended to get those battery operated light projectors that give off various colours and shapes, covering your room or tent with glowing stars or animals. They can create a cozy atmosphere to spend time in.

Breathing

This can be done anywhere. Taking some time to stop and practice deep breathing isn't overrated.

My personal favourite method is standing completely still with my arms outstretched and tilting my head slightly upwards. I allow my eyes to flutter closed as I expand my stomach and chest as much as possible before slowly breathing it all out. Repeat several times, taking care to focus on the feeling of the fresh air entering and exiting my lungs.

Hygiene

Travelling and being outside constantly can wear and tear on your body. It's important to stop by a showering facility now and then or a hot spring if there are any in your area. Please take care not to bathe in lakes as the soap and shampoo can make the wild Pokemon sick.

Nature

Sunlight.

Eat a Treat

Journal

Sometimes it may feel like you're not progressing nearly as fast as your friends. This can lead to feelings of plateauing. Keeping a journal where you mark down achievements can help you keep track of your progress.

During moments of feeling inadequate, read through past journal entries to see how far you and your Pokemon have come.

Sleep

Whether you're sleeping in a tent or inside of a lodge, taking that extra time for a bit more sleep is always benefical. Everyone is different but it's recommended to get 7-9 hours of sleep every single night. If you're getting less, eventually the lack of sleep will catch up with you.

Playing With Your Pokemon

Take some time to play with your Pokemon. If you're near Amity Square in the Sinnoh region, it's recommended you visit for a nice stroll with your beloved Pokemon.

Hello