Unwind With These 5 Easy-to-Do Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief

April 29, 2020

Have you been stressed out lately? The truth is you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress and they say the stress has increased significantly in the last five years. Stress can start to take its toll on your health if you don’t get ahead of it. Too much stress can affect your mental health, physical health, and it can cause you to have health problems later on. How can you get stress relief? Here are 5 easy relaxation techniques to help you unwind and de-stress:

1. Practice mindful meditation
Meditation is especially helpful for relieving stress because it connects the mind and the body. You don’t have to be an expert at meditation for it to be effective. There are lots of different ways to meditate, but none of them have to be complicated. Clearing your mind and relaxing your body is the first step of meditation. From there, you just have to focus on breathing and channeling your energy. There are a lot of online resources if you want to follow a specific method of meditation, including our mindful meditation page on mysmarthealth.org.

2. Focus on breathing
Something as simple as taking time to breathe can be monumental in helping you de-stress. Practice taking just 30 minutes a day to focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Repeat this for as long as you need to. While you’re focusing on your breathing, you can relax your muscles and feel the tension leaving your body.

3. Reach out to others
When stress starts to overwhelm you, reaching out to others is a great way to decompress. You should find someone that is willing to listen and help you get through it. Everyone deals with stress, so it’s helpful to have someone you can talk to. Having a support system is very beneficial during times of high stress. Don’t be afraid to reach out when you need help.

4. Find a calming exercise routine
Exercise and physical activity are a great way to relieve stress. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 14 percent of people use regular exercise to cope with stress. Walking, running, and yoga are the most common strategies people use to relieve stress. This is a great way to boost your physical and mental health at the same time.

5. Take time for yourself
Everyone needs to take time for themselves. The world can be a busy place, but it’s up to you to make time for you. Find an activity or hobby that makes you happy. It can be reading a book, taking a bubble bath, playing a sport, or baking. When you start to feel overwhelmed with stress, you can make time to do something you love.

Looking for more information on associate self-care resources? Visit this page with resources on caring for your mind, body and spirit.