Today’s culture of instant gratification also brings about a myriad of instant anxieties. Be it at work, at school, or at home, we undergo stress on a daily basis, which can take its toll on both our minds and our bodies. But finding calm amid the storm doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are simple ways you can de-stress instantly, even during the hustle and bustle of a busy day.
If you have 15 minutes…
Sitting down for hours on end isn’t healthy, and it can take a toll on your spine as well as your energy levels. Get up, get moving, and maybe take a walk. Detach your mind from the day’s tasks for a little while and engage in a hobby to help you relax for a bit, whether it’s reading, listening to music, or singing. Getting your veins pumping through simple exercises is also a good idea.
READ: Lose Weight While You Work—5 Little Exercises You Can Do While at the Office and 12 Girl Power Anthems to Rock Out To
If you have 10 minutes…
Generally, power naps are not usually accepted in most work places. If you can’t take a quick 10-minute snooze, get chummy and have some light conversation with an office mate or two. Social interactions can help you relax, especially if you’re able to vent a bit about what you’re feeling. Be sure not to let all your stresses out on the person you’re conversing with, though, and make sure you don’t take your rant public!
READ: Keep Calm and De-Hulk: How to Keep Anger at Bay in the Workplace
If you have 5 minutes…
During periods of stress and anxiety, your body’s fight of flight system is activated, and your muscles contract, which is supposed to work to your advantage when faced with a fearful (read, “stressful”) situation. But when you stay stressed out for too long, your muscles don’t leave the contraction phase, and boom, you end up with a bad case of muscle tension. Yes, you’re very busy, but stop for at least five minutes and give your muscles a break by doing a few stretches.
READ: Driver’s-Seat Fitness: Isometric Exercises You Can Do in Traffic
If you have 1 minute…
Allow yourself to immerse in one full minute of meditation and to try and focus on your breathing. Go back to your core, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and empty your mind. A good practice would be to think of your happy place, one that makes you calm: a sunny day on a white-sand beach, lush greenery in your personal Garden of Eden, or the view of the skies and the earth atop a mountain. Meditate only on your happy place, and you will have given your mind a quick and reinvigorating breather.
READ: 5 Ways You Can Meditate Anywhere
If you have 30 seconds…
Just add water! Literally. A myriad of illnesses and sicknesses can be cured and prevented with the elixir of life. Furthermore, it’s possible for dehydration to cause or to contribute to anxiety, so be sure to chug 8 to 10 glasses of agua daily. It’s refreshing, it’s easy, and it’s instantly de-stressing.
READ: 5 Often-Overlooked Healthy Habits That You Should Take to Heart
Be kind to yourself and don’t let work stress get the better of you. If you’re able to sneak in a few precious moments of down time, be sure to use it wisely and conscientiously!
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