Relaxing is something much easier said than done. You know that you need to de-stress. Which is one of those things that different things work for different people. So all of us here on the America Top 10 crew got together and had a makeshift pow-wow to determine what works best for us to relax. Here are our best relaxation go-tos. Find those that are most relaxing for you personally.
- Take a walk – Everyone has heard of this option and there is a good reason, it works for a lot of people.
- Count to five while breathing in, then count to five while breathing out. Repeat until relaxed. – This could be done as a form of meditation or simply as a form of distraction. Whichever works best for you.
- Watch funny cat videos – Or dog videos, bird videos, or even funny kid videos. Laughter is a great way to relax and the internet is a fantastic place full of funny animal/kid videos.
- Dance it out. – Not only is this a great way to burn a few calories but it is a fantastic way to destress.
- Light a candle and watch the flame intently for 5-10 minutes – This is a form of mediation that can be particularly good at keeping your mind off of things. Let yourself get lost in the flame for a few minutes and forget your woes while relaxing.
- Focus on your goals. Think about your main goal and envision yourself having succeeded. – This is a great way to center yourself and motivate yourself all while relaxing. Picture the steps it takes to get where you are going. Or focus on filling out your goal even better until the picture is crystal clear in your mind.
- Use a stress ball. – These little trinkets can be obtained from most big box stores or online and they are a great stress reliever for many of us when we cannot leave the desk but have some pent up stress to work out.
- Wash your face. – Give yourself a minute to just focus on washing your face and not thinking about anything else.
- Think positive or vent in prayer – Repeat positive phrases to yourself. Things like “You can do this.” or “My hard work is going to pay off soon.” over and over. Or, take your worries and thoughts to a higher power and get things off of your chest.
- Listen to music. – Enjoy some tunes, pick whatever you are in the mood to listen to. That is what will be the most relaxing for you when stressed. A lot of times what we want to listen to is very mood based.
- Give your pet some pets – This can be amazingly relaxing for you both. And is often a welcome bonding experience. You can also take dogs for walks or get out the laser pointer/a long string and play with the cats.
- Drink a cup of hot tea or bone broth. – Or in summer, a refreshing glass of ice water with lemon and maybe some mint or basil. Pick whatever is season appropriate to be the most relaxing.
- Crunch a snack up with those lovely teeth! – Crunching on something healthy can be a good relaxing choice. Especially beneficial if this helps you not cave to sweet cravings. Crunch on something healthy like pickles, roasted seaweed snacks, or carrot sticks with some hummus.
- Exercise vigorously. – Though yoga may work just as well for you. Pick an exercise that allows you to let go of the tension.
- Take a quick nap – For some, this is a great mind clearer.
- Write down your thoughts. – Writing out your thoughts and feelings may help you actually get to the root of what is bothering you. Though make sure to put these thoughts in a safe place or shred them afterwards.
- Play a quick game. – A game of solitaire, a crossword puzzle, a brain teaser, whatever works best for you.
- Talk to a trusted friend. – Whether through texts, an email, a quick call. Just get things off of your chest. Just make sure not to do things like this while on the clock.
- Try some breathing exercises. – Many of these are very relaxing and good for you to boot.
- Take a shower. – This is a great way to think things through and have a few minutes to yourself. So long as no one is banging on the door to get in the whole time. Sometimes, you may have to distract others in the house to get these precious alone minutes.
- Get a massage – This one is pricey but it carries many benefits with it.
- Write down your successes for the day – Or make mental note of them and go over this list a few times. You have made progress, and you will continue to do so.
- Make a list – This can be a list of what you need to get done today. Or it can be a list of what is bothering you. Or a list of things you want to do, or even places you want to eat. Just the process of list making is often relaxing.
- Kiss your loved one. – A quick makeout session is fantastic stress relief. Not to mention is a heck of a lot of fun.
- Draw a picture or paint something. – Or really participate in whatever art form you enjoy most! Pottery, playing an instrument, or even playing a sport!
- Eat more tryptophan or take a supplement. – This increases serotonin levels. Increased serotonin tends to improve mood. This healthful nutrient is found in many foods such as turkey, chicken, nuts, and cheese.
Most importantly, do what works for you! Find the things that help you relax most and are appropriate to your current situation and go with those. All of these are healthful ways of relaxing, so there is no need to feel guilty. Do you have any healthy relaxation suggestions? If so, let us know!
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