Do you feel more and more stressed out as the day goes on? Maybe you reach a point where it begins to feel overwhelming? To counteract our stress, we need to tap into our bodies’ natural relaxation responses. When you begin to feel stressed, take a couple minutes to practice the following techniques to calm you down and help you get on with your day.
Body Awareness
A great first step to reducing stress is to focus on what your body is telling you. Sit or lie down and close your eyes while concentrating on different parts of your body. Notice how each part feels and, if you are feeling tense somewhere, try to consciously relax that area. You can start at your toes and work your way up to your head.
Listen to Nature
Listening to nature sounds can help reduce your stress. This technique requires you to sit quietly for a few minutes and listen to the sounds of oceans, rainforests, woods, or any other repetitious natural noise. You’ll find that listening to these sounds can lower your heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety.
Deep Breathing
If you are starting to feel really stressed out, take some time to focus on your breathing. Breathing in and out deeply is a simple stress relief technique that can relax your body and refresh your mind.
All you need is one minute. Sit up straight, close your eyes, and place a hand on your stomach. Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Your breathing should slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, leaving your body feeling more relaxed.
Essential Oils
The scent of essential oils can rest your mind. Research shows that oils effectively reduce stress perception. Peppermint and lavender are great oils to use for this technique. When you start feeling stressed, apply a little bit of oil to your neck and wrists.
Laughing
It may sound odd, but laughter is proven to help reduce stress. A quick laugh can lower your cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone. Laughter also increases endorphins, improving your mood. Take a short break and watch your favorite sitcom, watch a funny video online, or simply talk to a funny friend.
