With all the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding time to relax can be challenging. For some, having coffee alone or with friends is the equivalent to a visit to a spa; others spend time on social media looking for some entertainment.
The downside of going out and having coffee, though, is that you need to shell out money and step out of your abode. Social media surfing, on the other hand, exposes you to rants and vents that are equally dragging or depressing.
So, how can you reduce stress levels without leaving your house? Here are what you should do instead:
Pamper your skin
If you still haven’t bought that face mask for sale, now is the time to do it. While not all masks have a relaxing ingredient such as lavender, the act of lying down for about 15 minutes doing nothing while you let the mask work its wonders is relaxing. So, close your eyes while your skin and face are getting pampered.
Brush your hair
Aside from promoting hair growth, brushing your hair is relaxing because it massages your scalp. That is, of course, assuming that you are doing it properly. This activity improves blood circulation in the scalp as well.
Drink green tea
This drink contains L-Theanine, a unique amino acid found in green tea. This substance helps promote relaxation and decreases blood pressure.
Eat honey
A study suggests that honey has neuropharmacological effects, which means it works as an antidepressant. On top of that, the study claims that honey is the only insect-derived natural product that has therapeutic, cosmetic, nutritional, spiritual, and industrial value.
Get a sniff of a mango
One of the mangoes’ volatile components is linalool, which reduces stress when inhaled. It does so by altering our gene activity and blood chemistry. It can also fight inflammation, induce sleep, and reduce depression.
Take Deep Breaths
Slow, deep breaths are efficient at lowering stress by regulating blood pressure and heart rate. Researchers recruited 50 individuals to try breathing control therapy for four weeks and the result showed that the cortisol level decreased. Cortisol is our body’s stress alarm.
Bathe in the sun
it is known that sunlight increases the level of serotonin, a hormone in charge of boosting our mood and making us feel calm. Reduced exposure to sunlight can cause serotonin levels to dip, which may lead to depression. This is the reason some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Call a friend
Each of us longs for connection. If you’re feeling uptight, call one of your closest friends and let him or her know what’s going on. As you express what you feel, you’ll feel the burden off your shoulders.
Watch a funny show
Knowing the benefits of laughing does not need a deep explanation. We’ve all experienced it. Once we laugh, we momentarily forget our worries, and this makes us feel more relaxed.
Be in the moment
Some people say that the reason we are anxious is that our mind is not where it supposed to be. It thinks about the bills to pay, the coworker who won’t stop gossiping, the dying loved one, and other problems. But if you control your mind to be at the present time, you will momentarily forget about your anxieties and relax your mind.
Stressors are everywhere, but you can do something to ward them off or keep them at bay. Staying positive is one. Trying these suggestions will also help.