Treat your time out in nature as more of a wander than a walk. Let yourself go anywhere you want to without a destination in mind for the ultimate relaxation technique.
Taking a bath is a great way to get some alone time (especially if you have kids). You can soak and relax for as long as you need to (or as long as you have time to).
Caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda can elevate your anxiety levels. If you’re already feeling stressed, don’t add caffeine into the mix.
If you don’t have a pet, ask a friend if you can spend time with theirs. Many cities also now have cat cafes where you can go and hang out with cats for a small fee.
If you want to dive into something new but you aren’t sure where to start, try looking up a tutorial online for some guidance.
If you’ve never done yoga before, look up a beginner’s video online to follow along with.
If you’re having trouble, look up a guided meditation video on YouTube to practice with.
If you’re having trouble being mindful, think about what you can sense around you. What do the clothes feel like on your body? What can you hear right now? What are you looking at?
It’s also a good idea to take a break from social media specifically. Constantly scrolling through your socials can really up your stress and anxiety levels.
Make sure you keep your journal in a private place where no one else can find it. If you have pesky siblings, try putting a lock on your journal to keep them out. You could also use a journal to keep a gratitude list and remind yourself of what you’re thankful for.
If you don’t have a diffuser, put a few drops of an essential oil into a bowl of hot water. Then, breathe the steam in deeply. Lavender oil, chamomile oil, sage oil, and rose oil are all good scents for relaxation. Always dilute your essential oils, as they can be harmful in concentrated doses.
This is especially important during long study sessions or when you’re pulling all nighters. Giving your mind a break for a few minutes can help you focus longer and work harder.
Try doing this 5 to 10 times until you feel yourself start to relax. This is a great technique to use when you’re feeling anxious or overly stressed.
Your happy place can be anywhere you’d like it to be. Maybe you have fond memories of a house on the lake, or maybe you like to be in the mountains.
When you relax your muscles, think about how loose and limp your body feels.
At the end of the session, your therapist can tell you about different techniques to relax the muscles in your body that are responding to stressors. The goal of the session is to take the information you’ve learned and use it at home to relax whenever you’re feeling stressed.
