We live in a stressful world that can take a toll and mental and physical wellness. Too often do we pass up opportunities to care for ourselves. Instead, many of us keep pushing through, ignoring the symptoms of stress or anxiety. National Relaxation Day aims to put all the stressors aside and focus on one thing and one thing only: relaxing.
People get a little overwhelmed in life, but a weekend at a spa resort isn’t a viable or affordable option for everyone. For some people, doing nothing can give them anxiety or stress them out even more! Because people aren’t wired the same, different things will relax different people. Exercise may be the calming activity that keeps one person grounded, while another person may benefit from staring at nature and sipping on a cup of herbal tea. Below, you’ll find a few practices that you can do to relax the mind and body before, during, and after work.
Before Work
Meditate At Home
Meditation has both mental and physical benefits. Whether you are aiming to relieve stress, muscle tension, or clear the mind, taking ten minutes to meditate in the morning can help make your workday more peaceful.
Eat A Mango
If you are stressed out about a presentation at work, take a tropical vacation before leaving the house by eating a mango. Peel, slice, and eat the mango without even worrying about the juice dripping on your chin. Mangos contain linalool, which helps naturally lower stress levels.
During Work
Go Outside
Studies show that being in nature relaxes people. Additionally, leaving the office on your lunch break exposes you to the sun. Since about 90% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D, getting some sun can boost vitamin D levels and lift your spirits.
Try Acupressure
This isn’t acupuncture, but it similarly uses various points on the body to balance the circulation of fluids and energy in the body. Take five minutes at the office to relieve some tension. Using your thumb and forefinger, massage the soft area between the thumb and index finger on the other hand. Repeat on the other hand and dab some lavender essential oil for added benefits if you want.
After Work
Get A Massage
It is important to treat yourself to some quality me-time. Massage therapy works to relieve muscle tension, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and increase circulation. Getting a massage is probably one of the most relaxing things you could do for yourself on National Relaxation Day.
Exercise
Whether you decide to take a yoga class, go on a walk around your neighborhood, or head to the gym for a workout, exercising allows you to clear your mind, improve digestion, and boost endorphin production. When you are done working out, make sure to stretch or foam roll to help relieve muscle tension.
And in case you didn’t want to do any of those things, try taking a soothing bath with some relaxing essential oils. You can also browse our bath drops, some of which help to naturally melt the stress away.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
