10 Easy Ways to Relax Right Now
The holiday season is in full swing! Baking holiday bread & cookies, hosting family gatherings, wrapping gifts & attending chorus concerts…this season can feel busy and hectic with all the obligations and celebrations. It’s important to make time for what you enjoy, but it’s equally important to take time to slow down and relax. After all, if you spend too much time racing around and anticipating the needs of others, you will likely find yourself feeling overwhelmed, with your stress and anxiety levels through the roof, and not enjoying the season as much as you hoped you would. Luckily we’ve got you covered with 10 easy ways you can relax right now, at this moment.
Take a brisk 30-minute walk or hike in nature:
Walking in nature yields so many benefits. Even if it’s cold, bundle up, take a cup of tea, and head to a local park for a walk or a hike in the woods. While working out at the gym can definitely recharge you, sometimes the slower pace of a walk, even for just a few minutes, or a hike can allow for more contemplation and relaxation. You can appreciate the beauty and wildlife you see while outside. Engaging in a mindfulness walk can instantly help you feel relaxed if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Tap Into Your Creative Abilities:
If you have kids, plan a fun holiday craft you can do together. If you prefer a solitary activity, break out some watercolors or colored pencils and draw whatever comes to mind. Coloring is a great stress relief activity that releases the fear center in your brain. If the thought of creating on a blank piece of paper is too much for you, purchase an adult coloring book (there are specific ones for mindfulness you can purchase).
Practice Yoga:
Yoga is a great tool to help manage stress and can improve your mental health and well-being greatly if you make it a daily practice. Between the breathing exercises and the stretching, you will begin experiencing progressive muscle relaxation and start to feel relaxed. The best part, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your home to do it. There are so many online video options available on YouTube. One of our favorites? Sarabeth Yoga’s 10-Minute Simple Morning Yoga for Beginners.
Write:
Writing is also a relaxing activity, and there are so many stress-reducing benefits when you sit down and write. If you enjoy writing in a journal, it can help you release all of the ideas, concerns, or worries you may be feeling. If you feel overwhelmed with your activities, make a list of what you have coming up and ask if all the events/activities are necessary. If the thought of attending too many events brings anxiety and increases your blood pressure, pick a few that are important to you and let the rest be. Writing down your to-do list can also let you sit back and look at what you can delegate to others to free up time for yourself.
Snuggle with a pet:
Research has shown that simply petting a dog lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Take 10 minutes to snuggle with your dog or cat. If you don’t have one at home, visit a local shelter to see if they need volunteers to walk or play with the animals there. Spending time with animals is a great way to relax and relieve your stress response.
Set Up An At-Home Spa Night:
It may be hard to get out for a full-day spa right now, but who says you can’t set up a spa night at home? Next time you’re out running errands, pick up a lavender-scented bubble bath, sugar scrub & a scented candle. Put on some relaxing music and enjoy some quiet time at home in a warm bubble bath to relieve some psychological stress.
Close Your Eyes and Listen.
For so many of us, we spend much of our time staring at our phone or computer screen. Actively take 10 minutes a day, which is really just a few minutes, to put your phone away, close your eyes, and simply rest. Listen to what sounds are around you, and be mindful of the thoughts that arise. Even a short 10-minute mindfulness meditation can do wonders to relax your mind.
Get a Massage.
A massage is one of the best ways to help you relax, and if you don’t have time to go to a massage therapist, you can get one at home! Chances are if you are feeling a need to relax, your spouse is also. Trade-off giving each other a 10-minute massage. Need a few other quick message ideas? You can also get a scented lotion and massage your hands, you could spend 5 minutes squeezing a stress ball, or rolling a tennis ball underneath your feet.
Listen to Music.
If you spend most of your day talking or listening to talk radio, try putting on some instrumental music to relax. You can also put on a dance party playlist and gather your family members for a fun time dancing together in your living room. Movement combined with music can be relaxing and fun!
Talk to a Friend or Therapist.
We as humans are social creatures, and if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it’s important to reach out to someone to talk to. Meet a friend for coffee and express how you’re feeling or go for a walk with your spouse while you discuss your concerns or stress. If you have difficulty opening up to someone about deeper issues, a trusted therapist can help you navigate your stress. Talking to someone about how you feel can help you relax and release the tension you might be holding in.
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Other Services Offered at Rapoport Psychological Services
We understand you may experience a variety of mental health concerns in addition to stress and anxiety. This is why we are happy to offer a variety of mental health services, including depression treatment, PTSD treatment, and trauma therapy, testing services for ADHD, professional development, online therapy for moms, life transitions, and group therapy. Lastly, we offer workshops on women’s empowerment, grief, mindfulness, and stress management. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog today!