Quick and Easy Stress Relief Techniques
Before I get to the stress relief techniques you came for, first, I'd like to give a little shout out to self-care. Self-care is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. If you're not too familiar you soon will be, lean closer, I'll let you in on a little secret: self-care is all about de-stressing!
Turns out, it has been scientifically proven as beneficial to integrate some self-care into your daily habits. Please note, self-care is not selfish! It's not selfish to prioritize our own well-being and happiness. In fact, prioritizing ourselves regularly actually makes us better humans. If you're not taking care of you, you cannot possibly be a good parent, student, partner, employee or friend. If you are constantly busy, stressed, and running on empty, you can quickly become burnt out, and you won't be your best self. That doesn't feel good for you, or the people around you. So how about those stress relief techniques?
Start with this
The best way to come up with quick and easy stress relief techniques for yourself is to think about what you enjoy the most. When you picture yourself in your most calm and contented state, what are you doing? That's your ideal self-care activity. In essence, self-care is any activity that we do deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional, and/or physical health. Now, the goal of this post is to make that quick and easy, right? So, let's brainstorm a condensed version that you can do in almost any situation.
Here are a few quick and easy stress relief techniques, check them out and see what resonates with you!
1. Take a few deep breaths.
This can be done anywhere and anytime you feel stressed or overwhelmed. There's a scientific backing for this!
2. Go for a short walk.
Even just 10-15 minutes of fresh air and movement can make a huge difference in how you feel. If you don't have that kind of time, just put your phone away, step outside and gaze at the horizon for a few minutes, I do this every time I take a break at my day job. It really helps center me.
3. Listen to your favorite song or podcast.
This can be a great way to take a mental break and recharge your batteries.
4. Have a cup of tea or coffee.
Take a few minutes to sit down and enjoy a beverage, and give yourself a little boost of caffeine if you need it. This is one of my favorite stress relief techniques, just don't over-do the caffeine or you'll have a whole new set of problems!
5. Stretch it out.
A few quick stretches can help release tension in your muscles and improve your posture. I stretch quite frequently when at work since I tend to sit a lot. Just stand up, lift your arms up straight above your head, clasp your hands and push upward. It feels amazing.
6. Take a power nap.
If you have 20-30 minutes to spare, a quick nap can help you feel more rested and alert... I realize this isn't doable for everyone. It's certainly not for me. But for those of you who can work it into your day, here's a reminder that it's okay! Take a nap if you need it! The rest of us will just be sitting over here jealous.
7. Journaling.
Let it all out on paper, in a journal, free write for 10 minutes on your laptop - anything. This doesn't need to be some well thought out, words of wisdom for the next generation. It can be mostly incoherent babble about how uncomfortable your sock seam is. Write anything! Get what's on your mind OUT, it helps, truly. I have a diary app on my phone with a passcode, so I don't ever have to worry about someone else reading my ridiculousness, I highly recommend it.
Things to keep in mind
By taking time to care for you, your batteries recharge. Moreover, you give yourself the energy and clarity you need to be your best self. You know, life can be chaotic, and we all face challenges and obstacles that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, by adopting self-care practices, we can learn to better manage our emotions and deal with stress in a healthy manner.
Above all, remember that self-care is all about making time for yourself. Trying some of these quick and easy stress relief techniques can make a wonderful impact on your overall well-being.