With activities like school coming up, more stress is put on us to get things done than ever. Not to mention in today’s fast paced world, things can be so hectic at times! Below, I have provided a list of a few things that I do to help relieve my stress. I am hopeful that they will work for you guys as well as they do for me. Enjoy!

1. Breathe deeply - Devote some time in the day to just take large breaths and relax. Try to control your breathing and do reps of ten of just listening to yourself breathe in and out. This can help slow your heart rate down and lower your blood pressure - making you feel better, overall. I like to do this right when I am in my bed and about to go to sleep. It is a great time to do this activity because you are putting yourself on the path to a good sleep by being in a calm mindset. 

2. Take a hot bath or shower -  When I am stressed, one of my favorite things to do is to take a hot bubble bath (although a long, hot shower can also do the trick just as well)! It is a great way to relax your muscles, and there is something about just laying in the warm water that is so soothing. You are never too old for a bubble bath! I always come out feeling even better than before. I will often play my stereo and sit in my jacuzzi for what feels like hours (truthfully it’s only until the water starts to get cold... which doesn’t take very long!). 

3. Exercising - Regular exercise has been proven to minimize stress levels. Develop a routine of exercises and do it every day or even just when you have the time to. It feels great, and knowing that you are also doing good for your body can be so motivating (or at least it is for me)! For all you people that live in the U.S. and have Comcast; I watch the workout videos that On Demand supplies (and yes, they are free). There are so many to choose from and, even though I have been watching them for months, there are still bunches of workout videos that I have not gotten to yet. I also like to get my routine ideas from the magazine ‘Seventeen’. They always include a little section on eating right and some workouts that celebs like Ariana Grande do to get in shape (with pictures, which are great!) 

4. Sleep - I cannot stress enough how important sleep is. Sleep deprivation is one of the main causes of stress, and can easily be eliminated by getting a good night’s sleep. Going to bed at a descent hour can guarantee you that you will wake up feeling great in the morning. In order for your brain to function at its full capacity, it needs at least eight hours of sleep. If you are not getting eight hours of sleep, think about what can be done to change that! Whether it be finishing your chores and homework earlier in the day instead of hanging out with friends - do it. I promise you it is worth it. Sleep is the most natural stress reducer there is out there, and you should take advantage of it!

5. Reach out to family and friends - Sometimes all you need is a long chat with a close family member or friend to make you feel better. You have been keeping this bottled up and want to talk to someone, yet you think no one will understand! Trust me, I have been there. Luckily I had my friends to help me through it. They let me know that I was not alone, and it felt really great to talk to someone - especially if they happened to be having the same issues I was going through.

6. Plan - Think about what is troubling you and make a plan on how to fix it. Got a big test coming up and you need to ace it? Consider what you can do to better prepare yourself before you take it. In this particular case, devoting 20-30 minutes a night to studying for one week is what I normally do. You may think that just sitting down and memorizing things doesn’t work, but it does a lot more for you than you would think, even if you don’t realize it. You would be surprised as to how much you remember while taking the test!

7. Massage - This stress-reliever has been around for centuries. It is an effective method to use because it reduces the pain and muscle tension built up in your body (mostly caused by stress) and increases your energy levels, as well as both your physical and mental performances. A lowered heart rate and insulin levels are just some of the things found in massages that are proven to reduce stress build-up. Looking on YouTube for some examples of massages that can be done, I found one that I really liked! It can be done without anyone needing to help you - which is definitely a plus. Check it out by clicking here.

8. Eat healthy - Being stressed can take a huge toll on your body; especially if you are stressed all the time. It can weaken your immune system and put it in a state where your body has trouble warding off diseases. Try to avoid eating as your main stress reducer - because this can lead to eating junk more often. Eating hard, crunchy food puts your jaw to work and can relieve stress! A handful of something like peanuts, almonds, or cashews are great examples of some foods to eat (I eat them all the time!). Also, try not to skip meals. Being stressed is an easy way to put off eating for later, but if you do this, than you will end up eating twice as much when you do eventually eat. Like the caffeine found in things such as coffee? It is a popular go-to for people who are stressed. However, it can disrupt sleeping patterns, and you are better off finding alternative things to drink. This can include any decaffeinated products in things such as soda, tea and coffee. Just look for the label next time you are out shopping!

What do you do to relieve stress? I would love to hear about it below in the comments!