FIVE EASY THINGS YOU CAN DO EVERY DAY TO RELIEVE STRESS

We all have stressful times in our lives. For some of us it seems like there is never a day when we are not stressed out to the maximum. Stress wears on our mind and our body. We become cranky and irritable. We are tired all the time because we can’t sleep for worrying about things.

Maybe you work full time and have to homeschool your child. Maybe you are a stay at home mom or dad who has to homeschool three children, plus take care of the house, plus run all of the errands, plus cook all of the meals.

Whatever your circumstance in life, you are probably the one that has more responsibilities than anyone else in your household. When you have just about reached your breaking point, here are my ideas about some very simple things you can do to relieve the stress for a moment. I am not a medical expert, but I know that these things work in my own life. I believe they will work in yours.

#1 – Take a “Zen” Moment

When you find yourself over your limit and on sensory overload because of the pressures put on you, stop for just a few minutes and close your eyes and breathe. Sit down in a relaxed position in a comfortable spot and just breathe and count your breaths. Count to ten breaths and then start over. If you are in an office environment, just sit at your desk and do this.

Focus on your counting and not your thoughts. Clear your mind for this moment while you breathe and count. In just a few minutes you will feel calmer and ready to go another round.

#2 – Relax in a Warm Bath or a Warm Shower

Just being able to be alone in a quiet place with the warm water will make you feel better. If you are in the shower or bath, you are focused on you. No one is expecting anything from you while you are in there.

Even as little as 5 minutes in a quiet bathroom under warm water will recharge you. If you do this before bed, you will be relaxed to fall asleep.

#3 – Take a Moment and Do a Mindless Activity

When you do something mindless like washing dishes or folding laundry or doodling, your brain has a chance to slow down. If you are like everyone else, you are constantly worrying about things like your never-ending to do list and the kids and your husband or wife and the job and the commute.

When you stop and do something that doesn’t really require any brain power, your brain can relax a little and not think about all of those other stress-inducing activities. For me, washing dishes is the activity I do to stop my brain from going 90 miles an hour. Sometimes I feel like my brain is going in circles at a high speed, so I just stop and wash dishes.

It works. Try it. Find your activity. Once your brain re-aligns itself, you will find that you can focus better which will allow you to face your to do list without the same level of stress and anxiety that you had.

#4 – Take a Magnesium Supplement

Magnesium is nature’s anti-anxiety, calming mineral. Magnesium is a mineral found in the body, but sometimes the anxiety fighting properties are reduced by our lives being overloaded with stress.

Taking a magnesium supplement will help replenish those levels and your feelings of stress and anxiety will be diminished. Magnesium can also help calm you so that you sleep better.

If you are uncertain about taking magnesium as a supplement, then you can get magnesium by eating leafy green vegetables, avocados, and nuts. Once you start getting more magnesium in your diet you will begin to notice that you feel calmer and less on edge. Another bonus of magnesium is that it helps relieve constipation if you have that.

#5 – Do a 5 minute Exercise

Once every hour take a 5 minute break and do some sort of physical activity. It can be simple deep knee bends or arm circles or a short walk around your house or office. Stretching is also a good activity.

Taking a break from the tasks and thoughts that cause you stress and focusing on a physical activity helps you let go of some of the worry. It gets your blood flowing and takes away some of the stiffness you may get. Just a few minutes of exercise every hour will help make your physical body feel better and more relaxed.

I know that these 5 things work in my life to relieve some of my stress. They are very simple to do but can have a powerful positive effect. Sometimes just doing simple things like those listed here can help you manage your stress so that your daily life is happier.

Living a joyful, happy life is so important. Having these stress-relieving activities in your day helps stop the stress from sneaking away some of your happiness.

*********************************

Like what you’ve read? Subscribe to my blog or leave me a message on my contact page.