I’ve been feeling a little stressed recently, mainly because of Uni work, but also because we are moving house soon! I have been looking for ways to relax and de-stress myself, so I though I would share some of my favourites with you!
1. Eat Some Chocolate
Chocolate increases serotonin levels in the brain, boosting your mood! Chocolate has also been said to help you think- A great reason to always keep a bar of chocolate in your desk drawer at work- Yay!
2. Yoga
If you can afford it and you have time, then think about taking a yoga class at your local gym. It’s a great way to keep fit and relax at the same time. If classes aren’t for you, then there are some great tutorials on youtube. Clear a space in your room, make sure there are no distractions and take 20 minutes to give your mind and body some TLC.
3. Brush your hair
Alright, I know this one sounds weird, but repetitive motions can actually help you relax! Obviously you don’t want to damage your hair from over brushing, so use a soft bristle brush to leave you hair soft and silky!
4. Drink Green Tea
Green tea contains L-Theanine, which lowers stress and anxiety in the nervous system and boosts your mood as well! If you don’t like the taste of green tea, you can buy flavoured varieties such as green tea with lemon, or orange. I recently switched from drinking tea and coffee to only drinking green tea, and I feel so so much better! My skin is clearer and I am much less hungry (maybe that’s because I don’t take sugar in Green Tea and I do in tea and coffee).
5. Organise and tidy
You will feel so much calmer if the room you are in is clean and tidy, whether it’s your desk, or your bedroom, having less clutter around you will stop your mind becoming distracted and enable you to focus on what you really want to focus on.
6. Go for a walk
Go for a walk in the park or woods. As well as giving you time to think clearly without the usual distractions, having nature around you and breathing fresh air will also calm you down. The colour Green is the most relaxing colour, and the easiest on the eyes which can even improve your vision (being away from eye straining screens helps here too).
7. Lavender oil
This one is great for at night if you are having trouble sleeping! Put a couple of drops of Lavender oil on your pillow or in your bath, and it will help you to relax. Read more about the benefits of Lavender oil here.
8. Hot bath
Run a hot bath, throw in a bath bomb, grab a good book and then lay back and enjoy! The heat from a hot bath has been shown to deeply relax muscles and reduce tension headaches, as well as giving your mind a chance to relax, away from the stresses of daily life. Read more about the numerous health benefits of a hot bath here.
9. Pamper yourself.
Put on a face mask, shave your legs, paint your nails, and moisturise your whole body. You will feel so wonderful after taking some time to care for your body, and the massaging action of moisturising your whole body has been proven to increase circulation, lower your blood pressure, and help you relax!
10. Stretch
This one is so quick and easy, you can just do it wherever you are! Stretching boosts circulation and increases blood flow to your brain, enabling you to think more clearly. Try the stretches you used to do at school in P.E. Class, or check out a youtube tutorial for ideas and advice on how to stretch.
So there you have it, my 10 favourite ways to relax and de-stress! What are your favourite ways to relax?
Emily xx
