How to Reduce Stress | 5 Easy Ways to De-Stress

As we all know, stress can take a serious toll on us all, both physically and mentally. For our health, mind, and our skin, we all need to focus on ways that we can de-stress and take a breather – read our favorite ways to de-stress below.

1. Turn off your phone.

We know it’s, easier said than done, but it’s worth it. Let your friends and family know you may be M.I.A. from group chats for a while, and just click the power off button for a period of time.

Studies have shown the positive correlation between stress and your smartphones, so do yourself a favor and put yours away from time to time!

2. Meditate.

What is meditation exactly? It’s as simple as shutting off your phone. Sit down, close your eyes, and pay attention to your breathing – not random thoughts of what you’re going to wear to a party or what gifts you need to get for your family.

Meditate for just 10-15 minutes. According to Women’s Health Magazine, meditating “affects your brain the way exercise affects your body.”

3. Take an anti-stress bath.

Not only does taking a bath at home after a long day on your feet feel amazing for your body, but it can reap the benefits for your brain.

Taking a bath will help you unwind and is a natural sleep aid to help you fall asleep faster and get a better quality of sleep.

4. Get a facial or give yourself a facial at home.

Not only will facials help address any skin concerns you have, but facials are a method of stress relief.

Like meditating, facials give you time to unwind, be to yourself, and not be affected by other distractions.

The facial massage portion of facials in particular helps you relax, and studies have shown that it helps decrease in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and arginine vasopressin, a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. (Source: NYTimes)

Watch how to perform a facial at home and learn how to do a facial massage.

5. Take a walk.

Exercising is good for us for so many reasons. Exercise helps us stay in shape, is a natural method of antiaging, and  helps us manage stress. Don’t be scared and think that it takes a lot of effort to reap the stress-relief benefits of exercise.

“Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever,” (Source: Mayoclinic). Go for a 20 or 30 minute walk a few days a week, or do a full-body workout if that’s your thing, and watch as your stress levels decline.

 

What other ways do you de-stress? Tell us in the comments below!