Find Your Friday Calm: 5 Simple Stress-Reducing Tips
Sometimes life just piles on! Work deadlines, the needs of our family, and unexpected challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stressed, especially post-holidays. But amidst the chaos, there are simple, free, accessible tools to help us regain our inner calm, benefitting our colleagues or clients, our families and ourselves.
Start Your Day with Sunshine: 10 minutes of sunlight in the morning can significantly boost your mood and regulate your circadian rhythm, reducing stress hormones like cortisol, and helping regulate your sleep come evening.
Move Your Body: Even a short walk, a dance break, or a few minutes of stretching can work wonders. Physical activity releases endorphins, natural mood boosters that combat stress. If you have a desk job, get up every hour and move around a little before returning to your seat.
Embrace the Chill: Cold showers may seem daunting, but they offer incredible stress-reducing benefits. The shock of cold water triggers the release of endorphins and increases your tolerance to stress overall. It also stimulates your immune system. Cycling hot and cold for your morning shower will invigorate you, and at night will help you sleep more soundly, not to mention improve your circulation.
Breathe Deep: Simple breathing exercises can quickly calm your nervous system. Try box breathing: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts. Repeat for 5-10 minutes. (There’s a reason this exercise is also used in childbirth!)
Mindful Moments: Download a free meditation app or simply find a quiet space to sit and observe your thoughts without judgment. We are so over-stimulated by today’s lifestyle, most of us don’t spend even a moment a day sitting quietly with no TV, no phone, no computer, etc. And if we do, our racing thoughts are incessant! Even a few minutes of mindfulness, trying to slow down our thoughts, tune external stimulation out, and be present with the moment at hand can bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
These small, yet powerful practices can make a big difference in your overall well-being. Prioritize your mental health this week and every week. You deserve it!
