Simple ways to relax and de-stress

Today I’m sharing 7 simple ways to relax and de-stress.

I have a pretty stressful job, however, I am usually quite good at keeping my stress levels under control. Recently though I’ve found myself letting the stress get to me a lot more than I ever used to. I think it’s likely because I have had a LOT going on both in my career and my home life. Since I miscarried triplets in June I have been trying to take better care of myself. And so I wrote this list, really, as a reminder to myself when things get stressful.

The list has come in really handy for me and so I thought I’d share the 7 simple ways to relax and de-stress with you.

It’s important to me that my relaxation methods are super simple – anything that costs me money or time is a no-no. I know that if I aimed to do things that aren’t simple then it would just add to my stress levels!

So here are some very simple ways to relax and de-stress.

Drink a cuppa

Maybe it’s because I’m British but sometimes all that you really need is a good cup of tea to feel better. Seriously tea is treated like a prescription drug in this part of the World! Heartbroken? Have a cup of tea. Tired? Tea. Lost your job? Tea. In shock because you got mugged? You just need a strong cup of tea…You get the drift right?

You get the drift right?

I am partial to a strong cup of English breakfast tea in the mornings however I drink herbal teas when I’m feeling stressed.

Peppermint, Chamomile and Green Tea are all recommended to de-stress and help you to relax.

Craft

Sometimes when I’m feeling stressed I’ll pick up a simple craft project. I love to knit and crochet and, as long as I stick to something simple, this can really help me relax. The repetitiveness of knitting and crochet means my brain can almost switch off which really helps!

Different people might like different crafts – I know some people swear by colouring in, others like to paint and so on.

Go for a walk

Walking really helps me to clear my head. If I’m having a tough day in the office I’ll make sure to step away from my computer at lunchtime. A walk takes me out of the offices, forces me to reconnect with myself, and gives me some breathing space. I find that my mind wanders quite freely when I walk – even just a 15-minute stroll can really help.

Simple Exercise

Exercise (like walking!) releases endorphins. Endorphins reduce stress levels. There are many studies, like this one, extolling the virtue of physical exercise when suffering from depression too. As someone who has anxiety, I definitely find a quick HIIT workout or even some yoga can really help me feel more in control.

Try finding beginner’s workouts on YouTube, joining your local gym or going for a swim.

Meditate

Last month Scott downloaded an app called Headspace which is for guided meditation. We’ve actually been using it as a family and it’s really beneficial. Listening to one of the guided meditations really helps me to relax and de-stress. Sometimes when I’m stressed I find it hard to sleep and there are particular meditations for insomnia and sleeplessness. I’ve tried a couple out and I find them helpful when I’m struggling to switch off.

Write

Lots of people find keeping a journal really helps with stress. My best friend has a gratitude journal – every day she writes down a few things that she is grateful for. The practice of doing so daily helps you to get into the habit to take time out and reflect. Plus it forces you to break away and spend some time alone.

Kiss and Hug to Relax and De-stress

This might sound random but, just like exercise, kissing and hugging releases endorphins. So does sex FYI – which might be why you feel a lot more chilled out after an orgasm!

Spending time with people you love and who make you feel uplifted is always a good way to relax and de-stress. Plus those people are more likely to hug you or let you offload on them *win-win*

So there you have it – seven simple ways to relax and de-stress! What helps you to relax?

Alex

xxx