The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress, take a deep breath and find a way to relax. There are plenty of quick, easy ways to de-stress no matter where you are. Here are some simple stress-reducer tricks you can try at home, at the office, or when you are out and about.
Stretch. This is a particularly good thing to try if you’ve been mostly stationary for hours. If you’ve been working at a computer all day, try stretching your shoulders, neck, and upper back. You may also want to stand up to try a front thigh stretch, which involves grabbing one of your ankles and pulling it up behind you, and then holding that position for 15 to 20 seconds. When you sit back down, concentrate on fixing your posture and taking a few deep breaths before returning to what you were previously doing.
Visualize. When everything gets too overwhelming, close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine something that makes you happy. It could be anything from a favorite memory to a dream vacation, as long as it temporarily takes your mind off whatever is stressing you out. It’s a form of positive thinking that can go a surprisingly long way in elevating your mood.
Organize. Cluttered environments often exacerbate stress, so if your desk is covered in miscellaneous papers or the family car is buried in toys, give yourself five or 10 minutes just to get organized. Completing this kind of tangible goal will help boost your mood and make you feel more prepared to tackle whatever the day has to throw at you.
Do Nothing. Think about the last time you went five minutes without doing anything (no looking at your phone, doing chores, driving around, watching TV). If you’re having a hectic day, try taking five minutes to look out the nearest window. Looking at nature scenes has been known to be incredibly calming, especially if you’ve been looking at a screen all day.
Massage. Of course the benefits of a relaxation massage are wonderful, as many of us know. Do yourself a favor and schedule a massage with Jodi by calling 701-238-8257.