If you are anything like me, stress could easily be your middle name. I would love to say I am a ‘go-with-the-flow’ type of gal ALL the time, but when I’m overwhelmed I can’t help but stress out. My stress can be caused by any number of things; finances, school, work, family, friends, you name it and I’ve most likely stressed about it in the past. The scary thing is stress can take a HUGE toll on your body. Headaches? Muscle pain? Chest pain? Fatigue? Upset Stomach? Sleep Trouble? Seriously, the list goes on. Stress is a natural response to the busy lives we live but we have to make sure we take time to refresh and renew our spirits so that we stay and feel healthy. These tricks are sure to ease your mind and body.
Your Favorite Hobby
Love to play the guitar? Cook? Go for a run? MAKE TIME FOR IT! Getting through your stressful day will be more bearable when you know you get to relax with your favorite hobby before the day’s end. Whatever is your jam, you HAVE to make time for it. You might not be able to do it for hours, but you can find at least 30-45 minutes in your day to unwind. Skipping out for 30 more minutes at the office is doing more harm than good.
Take a Bubble Bath
Personally, this is my FAVORITE way to relax. There is nothing like soaking in a warm bath and breathing in all the goodness. If you really want a bath to do something for your mind and body you need to add bath salts, essential oils, or Bath and Body’s ‘Body Wash & Foam Bath’ to your water. You can literally soak away stress! On top of relieving stress, baths can alleviate PMS and Insomnia. Light some candles and pour yourself a glass of wine to top it off.
Read
Reading a book or flipping through a magazine and reading the latest celebrity article will serve as better stress relief than you might think. There is nothing better than reading a few chapters of your favorite genre to unwind. Even if it’s just to get tired while you’re laying in bed. Flipping the pages of a PHYSICAL book or magazine is so much better than looking at your phone screen (even if you turned the brightness down and have put it on ‘Night Shift’ mode). Don’t get so lost in a book that you stay up all hours of the night, a good amount of sleep is key to feeling less stressed!
Sleep
I touched on this above and now I am dedicating a whole paragraph to it. SLEEP. There is nothing better for your body than a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep causes more stress than you probably think. A lack of sleep can take the same toll on your body that stress can. Imagine if you are not getting a good night’s sleep PLUS you’re stressed, the effect on your body is detrimental! With that being said this stress relief trick is obvious, just SLEEP.
Exercise
Exercise is so important and also so beneficial! A rush of endorphin’s will surely provide for some stress relief. Even if this is the last thing you want to do I can promise you that you will feel GREAT afterwards. Sometimes it’s worth the extra effort for the awesome reward. Plus you won’t feel bad since you are doing something to better your body! If you only have 20 minutes, that’s okay. Just get there and break a sweat!
Stress should be taken seriously. I don’t care how busy you are, you must make time to care for yourself. Whether that’s with more sleep, a bubble bath, or a workout, make time for yourself. Not only will you feel better but you won’t dread your days because you have had time to recharge! What is your favorite way to unwind? Let a sister know by commenting below!
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Yoga’s Healing Power: Looking Inward for Change, Growth, and Peace by Ally Hamilton
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