Do you ever feel like there is too much on your to-do list and not enough time? Do you find yourself feeling guilty for taking a break or spending quality time with your kids, family, friends or significant other?
Unfortunately, this is the reality for many people today. With fast paced lives and constant competition in school and work environments, it can be difficult to maintain one’s health.
However, as we all know stress can have negative consequences on our mental and physical well-being. What are some ways that we might counteract these effects of stress?
In this blog post I will share five relaxation suggestions:
1. Take a bath – Today we are juggling a lot of things. Between work, kids, and everything in between it can be difficult to find time to take care of ourselves. But you know what is one thing that we all need? A good bath.
Baths are a great way to relax, heal and de-stress. But sometimes they can be too much of a good thing. That’s why we created Naked Reverie bath bombs! They are made with natural ingredients that will make your bath relaxing without the risk of irritation.
2. Read a book – We all know life can get stressful. Between work, school and family obligations it’s no wonder we’re so stressed out! We often find ourselves spending more time on social media than reading a book. Pick out a book from one of your favorite genres or something new. Give your brain a break from trying to solve the issues of the day and give your imagination some playtime. Decide to make an effort to read at least one chapter of a book every day before bed. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can get through a book with that one simple goal.
Pay attention and see how your sleep patterns change. You might even find you have fresh ideas for tackling those things that were causing you stress. Remember leaders are readers!
3. Listen to music – It’s time to take a break and turn off the world for just a little bit.
The next few minutes are just for you, and nobody else!
So go ahead, find your favorite song, plug in your headphones or close your eyes and let it carry you away. You may find the urge to tap your foot or nod your head…why not get up and dance to the music!? The activity and rhythmic expression are truly good for your body and soul!
4. Meditate – Meditation is a powerful tool for relaxation and stress relief. It has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety levels, cortisol levels, depression, anger and fatigue. Meditation also increases your focus and creativity which can improve productivity at work or school.
Take three deep breaths with me now: inhale deeply through the nose for five seconds, hold that breath in for two seconds then exhale slowly through the mouth for 7 seconds. (Don’t worry if it’s not perfect!) Try it again. Now this time focus on how good you feel right now as a result of breathing deeply. Notice any changes in your mood?
5. Go for a walk in nature – Nature is a peaceful place that calms the mind, body and soul.
I’m sure you have heard of the benefits of walking in nature but here are a few reasons why it’s good for you:
-It boosts your immune system
-It improves focus and creativity
-It reduces anxiety
-It helps with mental health issues like depression or postpartum depression
At the end of a long day, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. We understand that life is busy and sometimes you have to make trade-offs between your health and well-being on one hand, and other priorities like work or family obligations on the other. But if you’re feeling stressed, depressed or angry, these techniques can help relieve those negative feelings before they take over and start affecting your physical health as well.
I know it can be difficult to accept, but it’s ok to be ‘selfish’ on occasion and dedicate time for yourself. Even better, make it a part of your daily routine to give yourself some care. Remember, you can’t help others if you are a stressed out wreck!
To get started, visit our website blog for a list of resources which contain relaxation techniques from finding your ‘Happy Place’ to forest bathing. If you need additional assistance or have any questions in regards to how bath bombs can help alleviate symptoms associated with stress, please contact us at www.NakedReverie.com. Thank you for reading!