10 Tiny Tips for Relieving Stress

IN THE MORNING

1.  Sweat

Starting your day off with a good work out is key to relieving stress, but also helps you get focused and ready for your day. The surge of endorphins that are released when you exercise will put you in a great mood. If you can’t make time to hit the gym, even squeezing in a 30-minute walk will do the trick.

2.  Read

Typically, a go to of mine is to read a self-help book in the morning, just a chapter or two before I get going in the morning, inspires me to be the best version of myself. Lately I’ve been picking up the New Yorker or a fiction novel, which I find helps boost my creativity and gets me thinking outside the box. 

3.  Tea

Never underestimate the power of a cup of tea. While I typically prefer mint for its stress and bloat relieving capabilities, chamomile or green tea work wonders as well. Green tea is a great alternative to coffee. While the stimulants in tea can keep you awake, they can also make your brain function better. The caffeine present in tea is enough of a dose to provide a lift for most people without causing the increased anxiety and “jitters” associated with too much coffee.

4.  Gratitude

This has been pivotal in reducing stress for not only myself but my clients as well. Whether it’s a prayer of gratitude or taking time to write down what you’re thankful for, helps put things in perspective. Negativity and constant worry add to stress, and when we take the time to appreciate what we have, we have the ability to transform that into positive energy. 

5.  Manifest

While meditation works wonders for many, I prefer manifesting. We’re talking about 7 minutes of focusing your thoughts on what you hope to accomplish for the day. Envision obstacles that may get in your way and create plans to overcome them. Devoting 7 minutes of your morning to this will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take on anything.

MID DAY

6.  Breathe

There have been countless times where I have felt stressed or worked up over something, and have worked my way out of it, simply by breathing. Taking 6 deep breaths, in the through the nose and out through the mouth, can help calm you down by releasing oxygen in to your brain. Another great breathing style that calms your parasympathetic/sympathetic system is 5, 5, 7. In for a count of 5, hold for 5, and out for a count of 7.

7.  Organize

Throughout the day our work space can tend to get cluttered, or maybe your home. While you may not be aware of it, clutter can negatively affect your mood and provide a lot of distraction. Taking a couple of minutes to declutter can go a long way.

AT NIGHT

8.  Walk

As soon as you get home, and before moving on to tasks around the house or cooking dinner, go for a walk. Take some time to balance out your day and let go of anything stressful that may have happened, so that you don’t bring it in to your time at home.

9.  Unplug

In the 30 minutes before you go to sleep, try not to look at any screens. No iPads, laptops, iPhones, or any other electronic devices. Let your mind unwind and give your eyes a break from the strain. Doing this will also make it easier to fall asleep.

10.  Let Go

A lot of times the stress created by the worries of what we must accomplish tomorrow, can keep us from getting the sleep we need tonight. Create a to do list to get your worries out of your mind and on paper.