Living life in chaotic times while trying to maintain your sanity can be a challenging task. This little thing called “adulting” requires juggling work and family responsibilities, dealing with the unexpected, and remembering to practice self-care. This is no easy task. While it would be nice to just take a vacation or a half-day off for a few hours, most of us do not have the luxury of taking an extended time to relax. However, in order for us to do better, we must squeeze in a little time to make ourselves a priority. Here are 12 super easy ways to relax that take 10 minutes or less.
12 Simple ways to relax in less time
1)Quiet your mind – Meditate or listen to calming sounds. The benefits of meditating are many. Meditation has been trending lately however has been around for thousands of years. Experts often claim that even just a few minutes of daily meditation is enough to gain benefits.
2) Practice deep breathing. Your breath is one of the few parts of your physiology you can control. Slower, deeper, breaths will help you to relax. Focus on the feeling of your breath passing through your mouth or nostrils. Count your breaths if you find that helps.
3) Visualize a peaceful place or scene. Our moods follow our thoughts. Think about something pleasant and calming. What does your ideal paradise look like in your mind? Hold that thought for a few minutes. With this place in your conscious thought, you can expect to experience a lighter mood.
4) Spend time with your pet. Pets are a blessing and always happy to see you. Cuddle up with your pet and take note of how much better you feel. Your pet will love the extra attention, too. If you don’t have a pet, you can always watch kitten and puppy video clips on mediums like YouTube or TikTok.
5) Take a short walk. A long walk is even better, however, when you are pressed for time, a short walk can help a lot if you’re feeling stressed. Pay close attention to your surroundings while you walk. It will keep your mind off your challenges for a few minutes.
6) Turn up the music. Music has an amazing ability to alter one’s mood. Think of a few songs that will put you in a more positive mood you’d rather feel. Listen away.
7) Get some natural Vitamin D. Take a break and head outside in the sun. Relax for a few minutes on a nice day and enjoy the warming rays from the sun. The sole act of being outdoors in nature can be a great mood booster.
8) Write down everything that worries you. One way to be less stressed and anxious is to write down everything that’s bothering you. Get it out of your system and down on paper. You can create a game plan to execute solutions for your problems. By externalizing it, you may find that your troubles aren’t quite as bad as you thought.
9) Try Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy is an alternative treatment method to help promote health and well-being. For example, using items like incense, essential oils or scented candles can have a calming effect. Natural scents like lavender or peppermint are popular. Lighting a scented candle in your home can not only help you relax but also make your home smell divine.
10) Take a moment to stretch – Take a moment to stretch your limbs. Many of us have sedentary jobs or lifestyles and this behavior can leave us feeling stiff and achy over time. Take a few minutes to try stretching. You can even do exercises from your chair to feel more limber and less tense.
11) Turn off the TV. If there is one thing that stresses many people out it’s watching the news. Take a break from the news. I bet you’ll feel more optimistic about life almost instantly. Relax and destress by cutting out the negative noise.
12) Indulge in a treat! Try a piece of dark chocolate or low-carb keto dessert. Sometimes the easiest way to lift your mood and take the edge off is to treat yourself. Eating a piece of dark chocolate or drinking a glass of red wine has some benefits. The antioxidants that are found in these foods are beneficial to your health. Having small amounts in moderation is the key.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself feeling stressed out and need a few easy ways to relax, give one of these activities a try. Excessive stress is not good for your health and in extreme cases can be deadly. Ideally, we must make our health a priority. Make time to incorporate a relaxing activity for a few minutes daily. Don’t allow 10 minutes to go to waste. Use those precious minutes to your advantage and take time to relax and improve your quality of life.
Do you practice any of these activities when you are stressed? What would you add to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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