Relax...in just 5 Minutes
You woke up, dumped your $6 coffee all over your new dress but relieved that it didn’t spill on your cell phone that is typically next to you only to realize you left your phone on top of the car when you said goodbye to the kids. In other words, it’s the perfect time for a 5 minute break… When we’re feeling frazzled, a weekend at a beach resort might be just the thing to calm our nerves. However, there isn’t always time for tanning and Pina coladas, let alone sleeping, eating, or going to the bathroom.
Here are 20 ways to relax and relieve stress in just five minutes or less. From enjoying a cup of tea, trying some breathing exercises and Aromatherapy, all these tactics can create calm during the craziest of times.
Food and Drink
Sip Green Tea Instead of turning purple with rage; get green with a cup of herbal tea. Green tea is a source of L-Thiamine, a chemical that helps relieve anger. Boil the water, pour it out, and take a soothing sip.
Natures nectar” Honey” Replace stress with sweetness and try a spoonful of honey. Besides being a natural skin moisturizer and antibiotic, honey also provides compounds that reduce inflammation in the brain, meaning it fights depression and anxiety.
Inner Peace
Remember to Breathe Is there any simpler way to relax? Slow, deep breaths can help lower blood pressure and heart rate while decreasing anxiety. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth using a hypnotic technique this helps to balance the mind and body and possibly eliminating the need for a tissue or a punching bag J
Close Your Eyes “Creative visualization” involves thinking of something that makes us feel happy. It’s an instant mood boost on hectic days when we’re feeling tense.
Total-Body Relaxation
Give Yourself a Massage When there’s no professional massage therapist in sight, do it yourself. A hand, ear or foot massage can be especially helpful anyone that may carry a lot of tension. Apply carrier oil, like jojoba blended with pure essential oils. Begin to knead the base of the muscle under the thumb to relieve stress in the shoulders, neck, and scalp. For the ear rub lobes between two fingers. For the feet, if you are at home grab a very warm hand towel or rag and wrap your foot it after it soaks up the heat rub your favorite lotion or oil on it.
Try Acupressure Pressure to meet a deadline can be stressful, but acupressure can help release all that tension. Acupressure’s a kind of touch therapy that works by balancing the circulation of fluids and energies in the body. Use the thumb and forefinger to massage the soft area between the thumb and index finger of the other hand. Dab on some lavender oil for extra relaxation.
Squeeze a Stress Ball On days when you want to strangle a coworker, your BFF, or the driver in the next lane, squeeze a stress ball instead. It’s an easy, portable, and non-violent way to relieve tension.
Drip Cold Water On Your Wrists Pass on the perfume and go with water. When stress hits, head for the bathroom and drop some cold water on your wrists and behind your earlobes. There are major arteries right underneath the skin, so cooling these areas can help calm the whole body.
Change of scenery
Create a Zen Zone Hiding in a bathroom stall , hall closet or even your car might not sound calming, but utilizing what is available is the key to de stress and relax. If at all possible Set up a comfortable chair or light some incense and disappear there for a few minutes until the tension dissipates.
Find the Sun If it’s a sunny day, head outside for an easy way to lift your spirits. Bright light can be an effective treatment for people who suffer from depression, and can even cheer you up.
Look Out the Window When things get hectic, take a five-minute break to do nothing but stare out the window. Looking at nature scenes like trees and public parks can be much more relaxing than staring at the TV screen. A little daydreaming is sure to do the trick
Get moving
Stretch Standing up for a quick stretch can relieve muscle tension and help us relax during a stressful workday. Why not try a shoulder roll-out or a chest-opening stretch right from the desk chair?
Power Walk “Now walk it out, now walk [stress] out.” When you’re feeling overwhelmed or having trouble concentrating, go for a quick stroll around the block. You’ll get the benefits of alone time, physical activity, and a few minutes to gather your thoughts!
Thoughts and Song
Write It Down “Dear Diary: Today I feel STRESSED.” I will be CALM Just putting our emotions on paper can make them seem less intimidating. Try journaling before a big exam and it just might improve your score.
Listen to Your Favorite Song Try belting out the lyrics to a favorite tune makes everything seem all right. If you’re in a public place perhaps just listening to music can be a quick fix for a bad mood Classical music can be especially relaxing right before bedtime.
Why use Aromatherapy?
Smell Some Flowers Certain odors can change our mood, and it’s hard to feel angry or upset with a nose full of flowers. Keep a fresh jar of your favorite flowers near your workspace or in the living room, and take a whiff whenever anxiety strikes. A few alternatives would be to keep a bottle of Rose Geranium, Jasmine, Roman Chamomile or Clary Sage essential oils near
Try Aromatherapy It takes just a minute to drip some lavender, tea tree, or another essential oil into your palm and inhale. The soothing scents may help send stress and anxiety packing by stimulating smell receptors in the nose that connect to the part of the brain that regulates emotions. The key to using essential oils is; understanding not all are created equal. My rule of thumb is to make sure it is organic or naturally grown and never diluted. Coming soon to my shop are Enthrall Body Oils & Perfumes… stay tuned.
Sniff Citrus The smell of citrus can help us relax by increasing levels of the stress-related hormone norepinephrine. Bergamot, Lemon, sweet orange essential oils are a few of my favorites.
Nose Full of Coffee Wake up and smell the java. Just the odor of coffee can help reduce stress hormones—no sipping required. If you are not a coffee drinker, but enjoy the smell, you can purchase true coffee essential oil and mix it with pure vanilla essential oil you will feel like you just walked into your very own coffee shop.
Why should you laugh?
Laugh Stressed? Me? Ha! Laughter’s one of the sillier ways to beat stress, but there’s science behind it . A fit of hysterics can increase blood flow and boost immunity. With today’s technology you can find the perfect pick-me-up, with the touch of a finger.
