If you are busy all day with no time to stop and collect your thoughts, it is easy to get stressed and overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are many ways to incorporate activities into your life that help you relax and relieve stress. Many of these cost little to no money and are easy for most people to do. Here are four simple ways to relax.
1. Exercise Regularly
One of the easiest ways to relax is to exercise on a regular basis. Working out provides a plethora of benefits to the mind and body. Getting regular physical exercise assists with the production of endorphins, which make people feel calm and happy. Any kind of activity will give you this benefit, from biking, walking and jogging to doing yoga or playing tennis.
The important thing is that you do the activity at least 3 to 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes at a time in order to reap the full benefits of that endorphin release. Regular exercise also promotes restful sleep and can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Other benefits of regular exercise include:
- Improved memory
- Weight management
- Lowered blood pressure
- Strengthened bones and muscles
- Improved cardiovascular health
There are many reasons to engage in regular exercise for both mind and body.
2. Enjoy Relaxing Scents
Aromatherapy is another simple way to relax that is becoming increasingly popular. There are many scented oils for diffusers that promote relaxation. For example, lavender is widely known to help provide a calming atmosphere and reduce other symptoms caused by stress, including:
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Troubled sleep
- Agitation
Lavender is thought to do this by affecting the nervous system that controls mechanisms such as breathing rhythm, adrenaline and heart rate. Besides lavender, other scents that promote relaxation include jasmine, orange, vanilla, lemon and cinnamon. If you would prefer not to use a scented oil, you can also find the scents in soaps and body washes as well as fabric softeners.
3. Consider Supplements
Consider taking supplements as one of the easiest ways to relax. You should always consult your doctor before beginning a supplement regime, but it is useful to know that there are supplements that support relaxation and stress relief without the need for a prescription. Some such supplements include:
- Valerian, which has been shown to lessen anxiety and stress and encourages falling asleep and staying asleep
- Chamomile, commonly taken in tea form and promotes rest and relaxation
- Lemon balm, which some research says helps reduce excitability and nervousness
- Ashwagandha Gummies from NextEvo, which belong to a group of herbs known as adaptogens that help regulate the body’s stress response hormones
- CBD, which is legal in all 50 states and encourages relaxation
While they should not be a replacement for prescription medications if you are determined to need those, herbal supplements can be helpful for reducing mild to moderate symptoms of stress and anxiety.
4. Practice Meditation
Last but not least on our list of easy ways to relax is to practice meditation. Meditation can be practiced by either using a guided exercise or by sitting in silence. The purpose of meditation is to observe your thoughts and feelings without placing any judgments on them. This focused observation is helpful in reducing or eliminating the jumbled and racing thoughts that lead to feeling stressed.
Consider incorporating these four simple ways to relax in your life to help reduce stress.