15 Simple Stress-Relieving Tips

We understandMom! The hectic pace of life can often leave you feeling stressed, anxious and exhausted. The truth is that life isn’t going to slow down anytime soon but YOU can. Here are some simple, easy-to-implement habits that you can add to your daily routine, to help you feel calm, relaxed and a lot more energetic.

1. Make ‘gratitude’ a part of your morning ritual.
Start your day a little earlier than the rest of your family so that you get a few moments of quiet all to yourself. Keep a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things that you are grateful for. Try and be specific and really put some thought into this. Start your day by re-reading the previous day’s points and writing new ones. This gives you the chance to start your day on a happy, positive note and really sets the tone for the rest of the day.

2. Sit down and BREATHE
When things get too much, it’s important to remember to just BREATHE. Sit down in a quiet corner and simply inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Fill your lungs with air. Calm your mind. Do this 8-10 times and feel the difference. Deep breathing has been scientifically proven to relieve tension.

3. Meditate
Just five minutes of simple meditation every day can make you feel so much better. Find a quiet area, sit down with your legs crossed, hands loosely on your sides or on your knees, and close your eyes. Banish all thoughts from your mind and just concentrate on your breathing. Count as you breathe in and out. Inhale through your nose for 3 seconds and exhale back through your nose for another 3 seconds. Do 5-6 rounds of this. If you feel comfortable, slowly increase the number of seconds up to 10 as you inhale and exhale each time. Focus only on your breathing. If you practice this daily, you will soon begin to see a change in your ability to focus and be present in the moment.

4. Watch, read or listen to something inspiring/funny
Whether it’s a book, movie, TV show or a podcast, take time to immerse yourself in something that you know will lift your spirits. What we love about Podcasts is that you can listen to them on-the-go, while you’re driving, cooking, or walking.

5. Talk it out
One of the best ways to relieve tension is by talking it out with somebody. Either a parent, a significant other, or your best friend. Don’t overthink this or worry about how it makes you look. Just talk.

6. Establish a good sleeping pattern
Try to get between 7-8 hours of sleep every night even if it means going to bed a little earlier. Before bedtime, put away all gadgets, dim the lights and wind down slowly.

7. HUG a lot
It’s as simple as that. Hugging increases the levels of the hormone ‘oxytocin’, which helps reduce stress levels and improves heart health. Studies show that at least 8-10 hugs per day can help you feel better. Doesn’t that sound easy?

8. Get organized
You don’t always have to be on top of everything but staying organized can help you feel better and can clear your mind of unnecessary worries. Spending 10-15 minutes each night preparing for the next day can help you feel more at ease.

9. Give yourself a DIY spa treatment
You don’t have to go to a spa to relax. Simply create your own at home. Make a cooling facemask using cucumber. Peel ½ a cucumber and put it in the blender. Then mix the cucumber pulp with 1 tbsp yoghurt. Apply it on your face and neck, then dim the lights, switch on some calming music and enjoy your home spa. Wash off with cold water after 20 minutes.

10. Relax by giving yourself a quick massage
Use these tried & tested techniques to instantly relieve yourself of stress. Press your thumb into the palm of your other hand a few times and then repeat the same on the other hand. You could even use a Natural Milk Cream and Shea Butter enriched skin cream for the massage. You can do this while sitting anywhere. Another relaxing technique you can try is to press the palms of your hands together, almost in a ‘namaste’ pose. Close your eyes and repeat this 4-5 times and hold the pose for a few seconds.To soothe your tired feet, put a golf ball below your foot and rub your foot back and forth over it.

11. Spritz some cold water on your wrists
This is a quick calming technique for when you feel anxious. Simply splash some cold water on your wrists and behind your ears. This helps lower your body temperature, helping you calm down easily.

12. Free yourself of digital distractions
Put away your tablets, cellphones, laptops and other devices for a short while every day and simply try and enjoy some technology-free time with your family without any distractions.

13. Do any one thing that makes YOU happy
What is it that makes you happy?Baking? Reading a book? Gardening? Listening to music? Do it. Make ME-time happen.

14. Treat yourself
Did you know a little bit of dark chocolate everyday can actually help REDUCE stress levels? We bet this is one tip you’ll love to follow.

15. Breathe in the scent of calming essential oils
Essential oils of lavender, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus can have a soothing effect on your senses. You can put 1-2 drops in your palm and breathe in deeply, add them to your bath water, or rub a few drops on your wrist or temples.

Tell us – how do you relax when things get stressful?