Stress can have a huge negative impact on our daily lives. It can cause headaches, make you irritable, affect your sleep, and even prevent your immune system from functioning like it should. Prolonged stress has been linked to illnesses including heart disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, and more. And managing stress is often easier said than done, especially when we are tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Luckily, there are many ways you can work to manage and lower your stress, right at home.
Managing stress with relaxation
It’s easy to forget to actually relax when there’s a lot on your plate. Whether you read a book, watch your favorite show, or try out a new hobby, putting time aside to do less can help lower your stress levels.
If you’re constantly running between meetings and errands, literally adding time on your calendar for relaxing will remind you to take a moment all for yourself. Plus, blocking off time means nobody else can schedule something during your relaxation slot.
Just breathe
Create a quiet corner in your home, and use a guided meditation app or Youtube video to clear your mind and focus on reducing your anxiety. Even just a few minutes of breathing deeply can be extremely restorative!
Catch some zzz’s
Sleep is so important when it comes to managing stress, but sometimes stress can keep us awake. Start a bedtime routine to let your body know it’s time to sleep, like having a relaxing bath, turning off electronics, and taking a few minutes before bed to really unwind. Try to go to bed around the same time every night, and get that full 7-8 hours your body needs.
Sweat it out
Working out your nervous energy and getting your blood flowing can make it easier to relax. You don’t even need a gym membership or personal trainer to get a good workout. There are many free workout videos, apps you can download for guidance, and some fitness instructors even offer live-stream classes you can do in your living room. Moving your body is a great way to relieve pent-up stress!
The power of massage for managing stress
Massage has the amazing ability to relax, rejuvenate and heal us, especially when things get stressful. For a spa-quality experience right at home, you can book a Soothe massage and a certified massage therapist will come to you. If you’re short on time, you can try these quick massage fixes to help manage your stress:
- Head Massage: Place your thumbs high on your cheekbones, by your ears. Gently apply pressure in a circular motion with your fingertips to your temples, moving slowly along your hairline to the middle of your forehead.
- Foot Massage: Using a tennis ball or small rubber ball, roll in small circles from your toes to your heel, working gently on any sore spots. You can also use your thumbs to apply more specific pressure to sore areas.
- Acupressure: Need a quick release? Acupressure is a traditional Eastern medicine technique that calls for pressure applied to points on your body, including your temples, neck, ears, back and hands. Try acupressure on these pressure points to relieve your stress.
