5 Ways To De-Stress Right Now

Here are 5 stress relief tips you can use to stop feeling stressed out pretty quickly.  They will work for anyone, but are even more effective if you make a habit of using at least one every day.  Let me know what you think!

1. Start noticing your what your body is doing. Every hour or so, check in with yourself by scanning your body for pain, tightness and so on.  Is there a knot in your stomach?  Do feel stiff, heavy or lethargic?  Is your jaw or head hurting?  Once you become aware that there IS a problem, just take your attention there.  Pretend you are just curious, and don’t try to force it to go away.  The goal is to just “sit with” the feeling of discomfort, much like you would sit with a friend who came to you for help.  Begin to breathe a little more deeply, leaning into the problem area.  As you breathe in, imagine you are taking in relaxation & peace. When you breathe out, imagine letting go of stress, anxiety or pain.  Continue for at least 3 minutes, 5-7 minutes is even better.

2. Be Your Own Massage Therapist. A University of Miami study found that after 15 minutes of self-massage, people were more alert and could actually do math faster and more accurately!  Since a lot of tension and stress show up on the head and neck, start there.
Eyebrows:  With your eyes closed, place your index or second fingers on or just under your eyebrows, beginning near the bridge of your nose.  Gently increase the pressure for 5 to 10 seconds, then release.  Move toward the outer eyebrow a little at a time.  When you reach the ends, start over, but this time keep a steady pressure, and let your fingers slowly move in circles as you make your way from inner to outer eyebrow.
Scalp:  Spread your fingertips on the top of your head.  Your thumbs will be just behind your ears as you begin.  Using your fingertips, make small circles on your scalp using light to medium pressure, for at least 15-20 seconds.  Start on top of your scalp, close to the forehead, and work your way to the back of your head.
Shoulders:  Reach your right arm across to your left shoulder.  Using your 4 fingers (not your thumb), press firmly on the muscle above your shoulder blade, fairly close to where your neck starts, and use a circular motion.  Continue for a few minutes, or whatever feels best to you, before switching to the other side.

3. Get Outside. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, getting outside for some fresh air can make all the difference.  When you get outside, take a moment to slow down, and notice things the way you did when you were a kid.  Check out what the birds and squirrels are doing; take some deep breaths and let go of the need to DO anything at all.  The idea is to give yourself permission just to BE.  Hang out in the present moment, and enjoy not having to produce anything, or solve anything.  If your worry list starts to butt in, just breathe and ask it to take a number – you’ll get back to it later!

Note: Here in Minneapolis, MN, it can be a challenge to get outside when our weather starts to turn colder, but please don’t let that stop you – how do think those Finlanders and Swedes got so healthy in the first place??