Taking time each day to do simple activities that calm your body and mind is a powerful way to short-circuit stress, restore a sense of well-being and protect your health! We’ve put together a list of simple tips to help you reduce your stress and boost your mood. Try one or several today!
- Take slow, deep breaths that extend into your belly to stimulate relaxation
- Sit quietly and follow your breath to help you feel more connected and balanced
- Go to bed an hour earlier. If you’re feeling irritable, a little extra sleep could really help!
- Play with or cuddle your pet. This can release oxytocin, a feel-good hormone!
- Read a book or article. Reading can help you bring your focus away from current stressors.
- Take a walk. This tried-and-true suggestion can help you clear your mind, leaving you feeling refreshed, steady and clear-headed
- Stretch! If you’re feeling mentally tense, reducing your physical tension can help! Start with these simple desk stretches
- Call or video chat with a friend or loved one. It can help you feel less alone with your stress and make you feel more connected to someone you care about
- Take a power nap. You don’t want to nap for too long, as it may negatively impact your nightly sleep. A 20-minute nap can really help you feel refreshed!
- Put together an upbeat playlist to listen to during stressful times. Music can be a great mood booster!
- Watch something funny. Watching a funny animal video online can help take your mind off a stressor—plus, it feels good to giggle!
- Log out of your social media accounts, put your phone down, and do something to help you feel good and unwind. Scrolling through social media can often bring people down.
- Take your mind off something stressful by engaging your brain in a challenge like a crossword puzzle or game of solitaire
- Spending a few minutes jotting down your worries. Writing them down can help release them from your brain
- Focus on gratitude. Instead of feeling sad or stressed about what you don’t have, focus on what you do have.
- Do something kind. Doing kind things for others can make you feel good, too! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Take 10 to tidy up. Studies show that clutter can make people more stressed. Pick an area of your home or workspace and spend 10 minutes decluttering.
If you are consistently feeling stressed and overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to talk about it. Confide in a friend or family member, or seek help from a licensed professional counselor.
