Stress is a modern curse. Too many things to do in too little time is a common complaint. Let it get on top of you and stress becomes debilitating and works against everything you want to achieve. And don’t forget, it can seriously impact your health too. It’s important to recognize when you’re stressed and also know a menu of ways to combat it. Choose some of these for your personal stress-busting arsenal.
1 Candles
Make the most of scented candles; smells like lavender are great for relieving stress.
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Scented candles are a great way to reduce stress and improve mood. Studies have shown that the smell of lavender has a calming effect on the body and can reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Additionally, the flickering of the flame can help to relax the mind and body, as well as create a calming atmosphere. Aromatherapy candles are a great way to relax as they can help to create a peaceful and calming environment. They are also great for masking unpleasant odors in the home. When choosing a candle, look for ones made with natural ingredients and essential oils, as these will provide the best aromatherapy benefits.
Frequently asked questions
2 Reading
Lose yourself in a great book. It will provide some much needed escapism.
3 Massage
Enjoy a massage from a professional; you will literally feel the tension slide away.
4 Take a Bath
Treat yourself to a hot bubble bath. Your stiff joints and tight muscles will thank you for it.
5 Do Something You Love
Go window shopping or take a long walk. Do a jigsaw, Bake some cookies.
6 Breathe
Take slow, deep breaths; it’s an easy and efficient way to help the body relax.
7 Pet Your Pet
Play with your pet. Stroking a cat is a particularly good way to reduce blood pressure.
8 Cook
Rustle up a nice meal; there is relaxation to be found in being in complete control of something.
9 Get outside
Go for a run. The endorphins you create will give you a feeling of euphoria.
10 Challenge Yourself
Push yourself and do something extreme, like snowboarding or skiing. It’s exhilarating!
11 Do Some Yoga
Yoga eases your tense muscles and encourages you to focus on your breathing.
12 Daydream
Have a little daydream; there is nothing wrong with spending a few minutes a day in a fantasyland!
13 Write in Your Diary
Keeping a diary can be really therapeutic and help you release stored up emotions.
14 Jig about
Dance like nobody is watching. It can be such a freeing experience!
15 Laugh
Watch a truly funny comedy; there is something to be said for the phrase ‘laughter is the best medicine’.
16 Go to the Beach
Watch the waves breaking at the beach, there is something really calming and mesmerizing about it.
17 Take a Nap
Sometimes all our body needs to relax is an extra 30 minutes of sleep in a day.
18 Therapy
Seek some professional help. Seeing a therapist might help you to reduce your problems.
19 Do Chores
Complete some easy tasks like cleaning and gardening. You’ll get a boost of satisfaction.
20 Be a Gamer Girl
Play a video game for an hour; it’s helpful to lose yourself in another universe for a little bit.
21 Work out
Exercise in any way you want to. Your body and mind will benefit from it.
22 Take a Hot Shower
The warm water rushing over you can release a lot of pent up tension.
23 Get Outdoors
Go camping with friends or family. There is nothing quite like sleeping under the stars.
24 Treat Yourself to One of Your Naughty Pleasures
A little bit of chocolate cake can do wonders for a stressful day!
25 Take a Day off from Work
Sometimes all we need is one day out of the ordinary in which we can recharge our batteries.
26 Learn to Play an Instrument
The focus and satisfaction you get from progress can make you feel really good.
27 Have a Cup of Herbal Tea
There are lots of teas with healing properties. A nice cup of tea can really help to ease tension.
28 Go Shopping
Sometimes a little bit of retail therapy can work wonders for your stressful day.
29 Remember Halcyon Days
Shut your eyes and visualize happier moments. It might seem silly but it gives your mind a jolt of happiness.
30 Meditate
A period of quiet meditation can help to take your mind off negative thoughts.
31 Take Your Dog for a Walk
It gives you bonding time with your pet and a nice opportunity to get some fresh air.
32 Listen to Music
Listen to some of your favorite songs; the physical and mental response can be one of great happiness.
33 Lean on a Friend
Talk to a friend about your feelings. It does no good to keep things bottled up.
34 Lap the House
It sounds silly, but run around your house five times! A quick burst of energy can often ward off negative thoughts and feelings.
35 Dine out
Go to your favorite restaurant. Great food can be so comforting in times of need.
36 Family Time
Spend time with friends and family and try to laugh as much as you can.
37 Go Rural
Get out to the countryside if you live in a city. The change of atmosphere is startling.
38 Device Detox
Turn off all of your electronic devices and have an offline period to let your brain rest!
39 Go on a Hike
The combination of exercise and great scenery can be really therapeutic.
40 Get Stretching
Do not underestimate the power of good old-fashioned stretch; you can literally feel your muscles losing tension!
41 Paint a Picture
Painting is a fun and creative way to let your mind unwind on to a canvas.
42 Get Some Fresh Air
It’s a simple as that. Open up all the windows in your home and let the outside in.
43 Take a Relaxing Vacation
Sometimes we just need to get away from it all, if only for a week.
44 Chill
Sit still and do nothing for half an hour. To slow down your pace of life for just a small amount of time can be very relaxing.
45 Water Therapy
Go to your nearest river and watch the stream run by; natural therapy at its best.
46 Beach Comb
Go down to the beach and collect shells. It's fun to find different ones and you can craft with them as another way to unwind.
47 Photo Memories
Do a spot of reminiscing by getting out old photo albums and looking through them.
48 Put Your Feet up
Not only is it comfortable but it actually has medical benefits too.
49 Go to a Local Sporting Event
Sports games are a great public place to be able to let out some aggression!
50 Sit or Lay on the Grass on Your Garden
Being close to nature, even just grass, can be very relaxing.
