5 Ways to De-Stress Your Day

Stress! It comes in many forms and everyone has felt it at one point or another. In fact, 75 – 90% of all doctor’s visits are due to stress-related problems. Stress can do a real number on you if it gets out of hand; it can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and the risk of diseases like heart disease and depression. All this talk giving you a headache? Not to worry, there are easy ways to manage your stress on your own and on a regular basis. Skip the painkiller and save the doctor’s visit by following these five simple steps to de-stress throughout your day!

1. Music
Have you ever turned on the radio only to hear your favorite song playing and instantly felt happy? Music is a proven healer, and music therapy can be used to manage stress levels, alleviate pain, and promote physical rehabilitation. If you start to feel overwhelmed, pop in your favorite CD and let the music move you! Or you can even make your own mood-boosting collection specially designed for those extra hectic days.

2. Yoga
Make time for a little stretching or yoga to unwind and decompress. Yoga requires that you concentrate and focus on the present, giving you a break from your worries. Not only does it increase flexibility, strengthen, and tone, it also calms your mind and rejuvenates your spirit. If you can’t make it to a class, follow along with a video or an illustrated book in the comfort of your own home. Put on some mellow music, light a few candles, and twist your anxiety away.

3. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses concentrated essential oils extracted from plants to improve your physical and psychological well-being. Essential oils can be dabbed on a cotton ball and inhaled, placed in a diffuser, or diluted with a base oil and applied directly to your skin. Their natural healing properties can reduce stress, ease tension and anxiety, and lift your spirits. Try geranium or chamomile, two of the most popular oils used for reducing stress, and look for aromatherapy products containing pure essential oils.

4. Meditate
When you need a break from your day, take some time for yourself to sit down and meditate, even if you can only spare five minutes. Find a quiet, comfortable spot, close your eyes, clear your mind, and just breathe. Meditation can help your body to get back in balance and your mind to rest, increasing creativity and clarity. Often times when you become stressed your breathing becomes rapid and shallow. During meditation, keep your mind focused on your breathing and remind yourself to take long, slow, deep breaths. This is a time for you to forget about the outside world and listen to what’s happening on the inside.

5. Walk
Getting outside in the fresh air can do wonders to help alleviate stress. Whether you prefer a sweat-inducing power walk or a leisurely stroll, slip on your walking shoes and embrace Mother Nature whenever possible. Taking a walk around the block or through your neighborhood park is a great way to get some exercise and chat with your neighbors, both of which can help you relax. If the multi-tasker in you just can’t be stopped, then walk to the post office or the bank. Walking will give you time to think and can be done in the morning before you begin your day, in the afternoon when you need a break, or in the evening as your day comes to a close.

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