by Kerry Taylor
We are just coming out of one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. With the recent holidays in our rearview, your schedule and routine should start to get back to a little normalcy. Because over the past few weeks your schedule and routine took a beating and life got a little crazy. Just thinking about it will make your blood pressure rise a few points. I mean, you had family coming in or you traveled out of town to visit family. Hopefully, you were able to get back, with all these recent flights being cancelled. Ugh! You went into, “we are having visitors”’ cleaning mode, which is 10 levels up from your regular cleaning mode and if you have kids, LOL, good luck! LOL! People invited you to different events and you tried your best to be at as many as you could. Your stress and anxiety was possibly elevating through the roof, especially when you add in your normal stressors of the day. If any of this resonates with you, here are some easy stress relief activities you can do. Check ‘em out!
1. Work it out
I know people use working out year round to help with stress and anxiety. That’s why it is imperative to get back as part of your routine coming out of this crazy time of the year. Whatever your go to is, boxing, lifting, running etc…Make it happen.
2. Namaste
This is great way to release physical and mental tension. As you move your way through different poses you will be working on mental healing, boosting your strength, flexibility and breathing. Here is a great Yoga class you can do in the comfort of your home. Guaranteed to help with your mental wellbeing and bring your stress level down. NAMASTE
3. Let yourself marinate
Put it on your schedule to take a warm bath at the end of the day. Run yourself a warm bath, with some lavender oil, light a few candles, find the music that relaxes you, if you want to add bubbles, knock yourself out. Make sure to lock the door and turn your phone alerts and ringer off. This will also help tremendously in putting you in a state of mind to fall asleep. Make sure you do this, you deserve it.
4. Inhale - Exhale
Something we may take for granted can be something that will really help us to relax and destress, not just function. Get in a comfortable position, breath in deeply gathering in all the air you can into your belly and exhale as long as you can before your next breath. There are many different techniques and apps out there to help you with this. The Calm App is a great resource. Find what works for you and make it happen.
5. Random Acts of Kindness
Nothing feels better than doing for others. It’s a double bonus, you feel good and they feel good. There are so many ways to be kind. It can be as simple as saying thank you, holding the door for someone, but if you really want to turn up your kindness, here are a few other options. Give your time to a shelter, food pantry or a charity. You can write thank you cards or give a gift for someone who doesn’t expect it, how about your mailman, garbage man or delivery person. You can prepare a meal or have one delivered to someone. The list goes on and on. Just do it from the heart!
6. Now walk it out
Find a bike path, a park or anywhere that lends itself to slightly peaceful secluded walking. Make sure to take in what’s around you and enjoy your time closed off from the hustle and bustle of the world. Or, turn up the beats and let your body do what it do and get those endorphins going.
If you are that person where you are having a tough time managing your stress and anxiety try some these routines to help you destress and calm down. Until next time, continue to live life 1 degree above the rest. Enjoy and have a great start to the new year!