Healthy Living: Simple Ways To Make Your Day Better in 5 Minutes

Life gets busy and stress seems is everywhere. When stress hits us, we feel it in many ways. Our heart rate increases and our chest tightens. Emotionally, we might become irritable or impatient, and worse, many of us take it home, resulting in strained relationships and poor sleep. We've all been there.

Here are some quick ways to de-stress when you find yourself stuck in overwhelm.

You’ll find you don’t need hours to meditate or exercise—with these tips you can de-stress in minutes. Healthy living doesn't have to be complicated. It really is in the small things that we do that add up:

DRINK THIS: When stress gets the best of us our bodies need a little TLC. You can choose healthy options to calm and support your body and mind, rather than make the stress levels worse. Drink a cup of calming peppermint or chamomile tea instead of coffee which raises cortisol and adrenaline. My favorite is Traditional Medicinal Organic Peppermint Tea. Try not to reach for caffeine after 3:00 pm because it could potentially impact your sleep. 

INHALE THIS: Use a diffuser or apply diluted essential oils to your pressure points  – lavender, bergamot, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and frankincense can all alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm. 

LISTEN TO THIS: Mini-Meditation soundtracks, instrumental music, guided deep breathing exercises and apps like Headspace and Calm are simple and quick ways to dial back your stress.

DO THIS: Do something that will interrupt your current thought pattern: go for a walk, impromptu dance party, do a quick set up jumping jacks or squats. I also recommend keeping a tennis ball handy at the office. It’s great to roll under your foot especially if you have plantar fasciitis issues. You can also use it on your back against the wall to help release tension in your back. Think of it as DIY trigger-pressure massage. Do not roll it over your spine. Keep it on your muscles (like the top of your shoulders).

LEAVE THIS: If you're at work, leave your desk. It's important to take breaks throughout the day. Stretching your legs also stretches your mind and will help you feel more energized and productive throughout the day.

Try one or all of these stress tips or experiment with your own. The hope is that you find small ways to deal with stress that works for you.