Everyone gets a little stressed sometimes, especially on a Tuesday! Here are some great techniques to calm your mind and body and re-energize your spirit!
WOOSSSSAAAA!
1) Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing is an easy stress reliever that has numerous benefits for the body, including oxygenating the blood, which ‘wakes up’ the brain, relaxing muscles and quieting the mind. Breathing exercises are especially helpful because you can do them anywhere, and they work quickly so you can de-stress in a flash.
2) Meditation/Pray
Meditation builds on deep breathing, and takes it a step further. When you meditate, your brain enters a state that’s similar to sleep, but carries some added benefits unreachable in any other state, including the release of certain hormones that promote health. Also, focusing on nothingness keeps your mind from working overtime and increasing your stress level. For more meditation techniques click here
3) Enjoy natural sunlight
Enjoy natural sunlight, especially in the winter. It can be depressing to be stuck indoors during the shortened days of winter, but a brisk walk in the sunshine can be a real mood enhancer. It’s also a chance to fill your lungs with some freash air and clear your mind.
4) Look at the positives
At times life can be overwhelming and we tend to focus on everything going wrong, or things not quite going as we planned them. Instead of giving energy to the problem… direct your energy towards finding a solution. Stress can be caused by viewing life as a chore, and not realizing the joys one has all around. Instead of looking at the amount of work that needs to be done, think of what work has been completed and how best to complete the work that needs to be done.
5) Exercise
Exercise can decrease stress hormones and increase endorphins, which are your body’s ‘feel-good’ chemicals, giving your mood a natural boost. Exercise provides a distraction from stressful situations, as well as an outlet for frustrations. Not to mention it helps boost your confidence level due to changes in physical apperance over time!
6) Progressive Muscle Relaxation
By tensing and relaxing all the muscle groups in your body, you can relieve tension and feel much more relaxed in minutes, with no special training or equipment. Start by tensing all the muscles in your face, holding a tight grimace ten seconds, then completely relaxing for ten seconds. Repeat this with your neck, followed by your shoulders, etc. You can do this anywhere, and as you practice, you will find you can relax more quickly and easily, reducing tension as quickly as it starts!
7) Sex
You probably already know that sex is a great tension reliever, but have you officially thought of it as a stress-relieving practice? Perhaps you should. The physical benefits of sex are numerous, and most of them work very well toward relieving stress. Sadly, many people have less sex when their stress levels are high.
Music
Music therapy has shown numerous health benefits for people with conditions ranging from mild (like stress) to severe (like cancer). When dealing with stress, the right music can actually lower your blood pressure, relax your body and calm your mind. Also try putting on your favorite song…then dance and sing your heart out! These release “feel good” hormones, instantly relieve tension and calm the brain.
9) Yoga
Yoga focuses on breathing techniques, exercises, connecting with the universe on a spiritual and mental level. It’s one of the oldest self-improvement practices around, dating back over 5 thousand years! It combines the practices of several other stress management techniques such as breathing, meditation, imagery and movement, giving you a lot of benefit for the amount of time and energy required. Here is more information on the different types of yoga and their benefits.
10) Simply RELAX
Give yourself 15 minutes each day of peace and quiet, a time to be reflective, meditate, or simply unwind. Soaking in a hot bubble bath can help release your troubles into thin air. Breaking free from the family, a breath of fresh air, or escaping to a quiet room will energize and empower yourself! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our lives and things around us we forget to just STOP…and take a moment for ourselves! Remember, if we don’t look after ourselves we CANT help others!
Some info VIA: WebMD
