
7 Simple Ways to Relax and De-Stress
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
33 Comments
Oh, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I hope, physically at least, you are feeling better. Great tips for keeping stress levels under control. Make sure you do take great care of yourself. x
Thank you Beth. It’s been tough but I’m finally back in a place where I feel up to getting my fitness back – it’s been a tough road but i’m getting there. xx
Besides drinking a cuppa, which usually ends up being 2-3 cuppa coffee 😉 I love walking and just going outside to gather a breath of fresh air to de-stress. Hugs are the most comforting ones though. 🙂 Cheers!!
I do the walking, hiking, writing, music, and I hug my kids alot to de-stress. for me, instead of Tea I drink coffee or hot chocolate, or ice cream. It depends on the time of year for that lol.
Haha I dunno ice cream is still tasty in winter! 🙂
The first picture made me feel relaxed 🙂 … I need to drink a cup of tea now! nice tips, thank you! Writing too is relaxing but writing in blogtober let’s see, lol
Sorry for your loss. I love green tea and a bit of exercise does the job for me.
Thanks Michael – yes exercise definitely helps!
I really need to show this to my wife. I loving call her: “My little Stress head”. She is always stressed and doesn’t know or learned how to relax.
Thanks for Sharing
John M
My husband says the same about me – hence the conscious effort to decrease it! Thanks John 🙂
Very useful post especially for me and my anxiety. I love your featured picture as well !!
The best part of the list is the last one, for me its 100% effective I just need a lot of kisses and a bunch of hugs then I’m in a zen mode already. Singing is another way for me to relax otherwise I meditate once a day.
Yep me too! I am an awful singer – it might relax me but everyone else would not appreciate it haha!
I am so sorry you have had such a sad time this year. I hope you continue to feel some respite with your de stressing techniques. I am constantly surprised by how calm going for a swim makes me. Its like it really clears my head.
Awesome tips! I’m a huge fan of the Headspace app:) Really sorry about your miscarriage and good to hear you’re taking good care of yourself! I find that reading also helps calm me down. There’s just something about escaping into another world that makes you forget about your day-to-day stresses:)
Thank you Helene 🙂 Yes I love to read to chill out!
Really sad to hear about your loss. You have shared a really nice tips list there. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you xx
Loved reading all your tips. I be using some of these during blotter LOL ❤️
Loved reading all your tips. I be using some of these during blogtober LOL ❤️
My fav tip to chill is honey and lemon tea ad a nice warm bath 😊
That sounds like a great way to chill!
Such lovely ideas – I love meditation and going out for a walk always helps. Kaz
Thanks Kaz 🙂
So sorry for your loss. It’s so important to look after yourself. I have been a bit complacent of late, really need to get my eye back on the ball. TEA!!!
Great tips. I know where you’re coming from, I have a stressful job, too and it’s easy to get caught up in it all! I try hard to be mindful of when the stress is getting to high. I am absolutely going to download the Headspace app as I really want to start and end the day with some meditation. x
Great tips. I always find going for a walk helps. I defo think I need to hug more when I’m stressed instead of pushing people away
Well this is a much needed read for this moment in time! Hugs always do the trick and walking helps too!
Sorry to hear about your loss. I’m glad you were able to practice these tips to help decrease your stress. I get stressful a lot too and hate doing things that require a lot of work to relax! Excercising and lots of kisses and hugs help me too! My boyfriend sure knows how to make me feel better! Great tips!
Except for the “Write” part, this is perfect for those doing the Blogtober Challenge. And taking a walk is the best, at least for me.
I find doing yoga, exercise, meditation and taking a walk in nature really helps me destress. I think just taking time to recentre myself is all that is needed sometimes.
I need all of these this weekend. Last couple of weeks have been so hectic! Thank you for sharing
Awesome tips. I really should knit and mediate more. I use to knit a lot when I was much younger, I found it so therapeutic.
I go to play basketball and swimming to free from stress. But your tips to get relief from stress are nice to.