Treat yourself to less stress
Stress making
you crazy? You probably know that some of the best ways to relieve stress include
exercising, talking to friends, or simply getting outside. But what if you
can't make it to the gym for your one-hour workout?
It might be
time for a little pampering to calm down; you'll also feel legitimately spoiled
in the process.
This herb has
a soothing scent that can lower your heart rate and blood pressure,
both of which can help you relax and even drift off to sleep. Put dried
lavender in a vase near your bed or slather on moisturizer infused with
lavender.
2.
Have a chocolate-covered strawberry
When you’re
stressed, you may be tempted to house every sweet treat in sight. But foods
high in added sugar can increase your blood sugar levels and make you feel even
more on edge. Instead, munch on strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. The
vitamin C in the berries can fight body-damaging free radicals and the dark
chocolate may help reduce stress hormones like cortisol.
3.
Take a bath
Soaking in
water has a soothing effect, experts say, since it connects us to our time
in the womb. Add lavender bath oils or aromatherapy candles and you’re well on
your way to complete Zen.
4.
Give yourself a scalp massage
You know how
good it feels when you get your hair shampooed at the salon? You can (and
should) recreate that experience at home. To melt away tension, massage
your scalp with your fingertips, moving from your hairline to the back of
your head several times.
5.
Sip chamomile tea
Research shows
that one of the compounds in this herbal brew binds to the same brain receptors
as drugs like Valium, which means the tea acts as
a mild tranquilizer. Not a tea person? Chamomile
supplements may also help reduce anxiety, according to at least one study.
6.
Step in the sauna
If your gym has
a sauna or steam room, use it after your next workout. When your body heats up,
both muscle tension and anxiety subside, according to research. Plus,
feelings of warmth can alter neural circuits that improve our mood.
7.
Give yourself a foot rubs
Reflexology is
an alternative medicine therapy that involves applying pressure to different
parts of the body. It may help ease stress, and possibly even help migraines.
Do it yourself by running under the base of your toes to calm your head and
massaging the ball of your foot to relax your chest.
Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There's going to be stress in life, but it's your choice whether you let it affect you or not.
What do you think?
