It’s normal to want to relax once in every while. Human bodies can’t handle all kinds of emotions in an equal way. Things like workload, issues with family/partner, lack of sleep, financial obstacles, emotional downs, etc. can cause slight discomfort to your otherwise normal system. Your brain undergoes stress and if you disregard it, it starts showing up on our skin, hair, nails, and most importantly, your lifestyle. For all of you going through this right now, remember that we’ve all been through it and that it’s normal. You might want to bang your head against that wall or tear off that paperwork at your desk or simply slap the waiter at the café. Yes, we totally relate to you and No, we don’t think any of them is a good idea.
Here we have for you 5 simple ways to relax and de-stress that have worked for many (we’re definitely among them). Scroll down to know more!
1. Declutter your space
We know that you are least motivated to do anything like this now. But trust me, fixing your space really helps you calm down. Sometimes the baffling feeling you experience is due to the mess (both physical and mental). So, if you strike one thing off it, it’s like a baby step. This also serves as a break if the source of your stress is working too much.
2. Sweat it out and relax
Exercising is a great way to get your body into movement and release fatigue. The reason, the stress you feel might also be due to sitting in a single place, looking into the screen for too long, and not moving your body for hours. If this is the case, just get up and do some exercise or dance or cycling or anything, literally just jump like a monkey. This helps in the release of endorphins and cuts down the stress hormones. Endorphins stimulate your body and mind, help you relax and calm your mind.
3. Journaling
Another way to relax and calm down is Journaling. Journaling is simply writing out your thoughts into a book/diary. Drawing and doodling also count. When you have too much going on in your head, it really gets heavy. By writing it out on a paper, you are technically transferring the thoughts in your head onto the paper. Be honest with yourself and write it all down whatever is troubling you. If you are not a journal person, just call your best friend, sibling, or partner, anyone you are comfortable sharing your thoughts with, and just say it all. The point is you have to let the load off your head until you feel light.
4. Do something you love
Everyone is passionate about something. It may be painting, drawing, photography, writing, playing musical instruments, singing, and so on. This is that one thing that doesn’t tire you, one thing that you love, one thing you enjoy doing. Go ahead and start doing it. When you do something you love, your body releases serotonin or the happy hormone. It helps in enhancing your mood by reducing stress and anxiety. Also, doing things for yourself like composing your own song, painting your own wallpapers, writing your own poem, gives you a gratifying feeling that you’d never experience otherwise.
5. Take a shower to relax
Showers can be as calming as meditation when you are stressed. You can take soothing warm water showers or chilled cold water showers as you like it. Choose the soaps with fragrance preferably calming ones like lavender or lemon; add bath salts if you wish and just close your eyes to totally immerse yourself into it. Just breathe while you soak yourself in water and let go of all the thoughts that are worrying you. Trust me, it’s the best way to relax and soothe your mood. After you are done with it light a couple of scented candles, turn on some gentle music and doze off to sleep.
That’s it. Try them each, try them all. Observe what’s working for you and leave the rest. Also, while you get busy in the everyday hodgepodge, take some time off to relax. Go on a family vacation, attend a therapy session, and give yourself massages and detoxes. Remember, there’s nothing worth stressing over at the cost of your mental health. Drink tons of water, eat healthy food, and get good 6-8 hour sleep. Stay hydrated, stay happy!