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No matter how on top of things we are, everyone gets stressed from time to time. How you manage that stress is important for your mental and physical health. Bottling it up is never a good idea, so it’s important to take a little time each day to unwind and let go of some stress.
Need some de-stress inspiration? Here are 10 ways to relax that you can do almost anytime.
Exercise and getting outside are great stress relievers, but here, we’re focusing on more mellow ways to relax.
Meditation may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Even a short 10-minute meditation, like this one from Kohler Well-Being, can help you clear your mind and relax. Not sure where to start? Try an app like Calm or search for guided meditation videos on YouTube. If you have trouble at first, keep trying! Like anything, meditation takes a little practice.
Stretching relaxes your muscles, helping to release tension and stress throughout your body. Take a few moments before bed, or even while you’re watching TV in the evening, to get on the floor and stretch.
Yoga is a great way to combine stretching with some elements of meditation. No matter your skill level, there is no shortage of free yoga videos on YouTube, including some from Kohler Well-Being. And the beauty of practicing at home means you don’t need to feel self-conscious!
When you’re stressed, you may not feel very creative. Even though you don’t feel like it, doing a creative hobby like drawing, painting, knitting, playing a musical instrument, or even cooking can do a lot for stress relief. Studies have shown that doing something creative for as little as 45 minutes can reduce levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone” in the body.
A hot bath is an age-old relaxation technique – because it’s effective. It works so well at relieving stress because stress causes our muscles to tense up, whether we realize it or not. A hot bath works to relax those muscles, leaving us feeling less stressed than before. Things like Epsom salt can help relax your muscles even more while aromatherapy elements like essential oils can also contribute to feelings of relaxation.
Whether it’s emails, texts, social media, or news, our phones can be a big source of stress. While you probably can’t eliminate these things from your life entirely, you can put your phone down for a little while each and every day. Easy ways to limit your screen time: uninstall apps that are nothing but time wasters, put your phone charger in another room so you can’t see it while it’s charging, set app time limits for yourself in your phone’s settings, and learn that when you start cycling through the same 2-3 apps, it’s time to put it down.
Reading occupies your mind, allowing you to forget about the stressors of everyday life. In addition, that distraction can lower your heart rate and relax tight muscles. Don’t feel pressured to read the most popular book, just find a story you can get lost in and let the stress melt away!
It may sound a little New Age, but scents really can change your mood. Vanilla, lavender, jasmine, and bergamot are common stress-relieving scents. Lavender and bergamot have even shown to lower stress levels in clinical studies!
Writing down your thoughts at the end of the day (or whenever works best for you) is a great way to get rid of stress. By getting your thoughts out, writing down any to-dos, or just jotting down what you’re thankful for, you can get a better grasp on what’s stressing you out, allowing you to work through it a little easier.
Unwinding with a favorite TV show or movie is kind of like eating comfort food: you know what you’re going to get and you know you like it. Kick back in your comfy clothes with a snack and turn your brain off for a little while!
