I know that many people find exercise to be the best way for them to de-stress. With the exception of doing yoga, I’m generally not one of those people. When I’m exhausted from a long day, the last thing I want to do is throw on my running shoes and pound out a sweat session. So I’ve tried to find easy, no effort was to de-stress during the day, and I thought I’d share them with all of you 
1. Hot tea.
Whether you’re at work or just got home from a busy day, sipping a mug of hot tea is a great way to calm yourself down. I’ve seen “tension tamer” teas and the like, but I find that regular tea or green tea does the trick as well.
2. Light a candle.
Better yet, light two or three! Candles to me signal relaxation, and just being around them helps me to feel more settled.
3. Intentionally clear your mind.
If you’re anything like me, you have a million and one things running through your head at once. Take a minute or two to just forget about everything, and focus on having a clear mind. It takes some effort at first, but it gives a great sense of release - even if just for a few moments.
4. Rub your temples.
I find that gently rubbing my temples for 30-60 seconds instantly relaxes and calms me. It releases tension and re-sets my focus. Not to mention it feels great!
5. Switch up your routine.
Sometimes I purposefully exercise in the evening rather than the morning, or eat breakfast for dinner. Simply doing things different helps me to live in the moment. Viewing each day as completely separate from the rest helps me to enjoy every moment rather than just mindlessly going through a daily routine.
6. Feed your emotions.
Yeah, I said it! Most people consider this to be a big no-no, but I disagree. I’m not saying to down a sleeve (or two) of Oreos. Instead, make yourself some healthy comfort food. For example, if you get home from a long, stressful day and are cravings carbs, make yourself a huge bowl of loaded oatmeal. Instead of anxiously raiding the fridge, try to find healthy alternatives to dishes that you know will make you feel satisfied and less anxious.
7. Dim the lights.
You may or may not have been sitting under fluorescent lights all day, so give yourself a break and dim the lights for a while. You’re body will naturally want to relax.
8. UNPLUG.
This is definitely the most important tool for me. I work on a computer pretty much all day long with my job and blogging. And when I’m not on the computer, I’m on my BlackBerry or watching television. TURN IT ALL OFF! Even if it’s just for 15 minutes. You’ll be surprised how much your mind will slow down.
9. Put a warm cloth on your forehead.
Take a washcloth soaked in hot water and lay it on your head for a few minutes. You may feel goofy, but it will relieve tension and help you leave behind the stress that accumulated throughout the day.
10. Plan a vacation.
Yeah yeah, easier said than done! But even if you commit to putting away $20 a month towards a vacation, just knowing that you have something to look forward to will put you in a better mood. When something stressful comes up, remember that you have a relaxing, stress-free vacation coming up in the future.
So there you have it! I hope you all find those tips as helpful as I have. Plans for the rest of the day: finish up work, R&R, Vampire Diaries at 8. Don’t I just have the most exciting life? Haha. Buh bye babes. xoxo G
- Are you an easily stressed out/anxious person? Or do you just “go with the flow?”
- What is your favorite way to de-stress during or after a long day?
Great tips! I am a pretty anxious person so I should really start doing some of these things. Tonight I will dim the lights, light a candle, put a washcloth on my forehead, and just relax
This is a great post! I can be a stressy person and it doesn’t help that I have a very stressful job- a crazy combination!
I do feel better after taking a walk or leaving the room for a few minutes. I also love tea. You have lots of great tips.
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog- I love yours!
they have this lotion at orgins, it is pepermint scented it cmoes in a small bottle and if you take a little bit and rub on your temples with it…its AMAZING it clears your head and senses and is so relaxing! I also love candles, lavender which is a scent that is known for its relaxation properties!
awww you are adorable!! sooo glad you found my blog!! you are BEAUTIFUL too!
i LOVE what you said about destressing-hot baths are the bomb..and praying always helps me when im stressed
I’ll agree with guzzling tea and rubbing your temples. That’s pretty much my routine every day. Cooking dinner, for me, is a great de-stressor. And so is reading a fiction book and getting lost in it. When I have a stress headache (or is that an I’m-at-the-computer-all-day headache?), a cold cloth, dark room, and some shut eye is just right.
I love your blog! Thanks so much for stopping by mine!
Reading helps me destress.. when I get around to it. So do hot showers, those = mega love. Writing in my journal also helps, even if I don’t think I have much to say I usually end up with quite a bit.
I really like a lot of your tips though - lighting candles and dimming the lights help SO much. There’s just something so calming about it, especially if you have scented candles. =) I’m also doing the vacation thing. My mom, sister and I plan to go on a roadtrip in the summer. Can’t wait!
Holy s’mores yogurt! Are you kidding me with that? It looks out of this world.
I have been dying to try the Deep Chocolate VitaTop. I may just need to pick up a box just for this creation.
oh girl…i stress all the time…it is not healthy..it is killing me physically and mentally.
Your eats are amazing…honestly…amazing…happy to follow u…i need to update my blogroll soon and add u
Oh my - thank you so much for commenting on my blog - please add me to your roll and come back! I love yours - I can AGREE with everything. Totally get you on the work thing - it’s not what you think - I get completely stressed out and at the end of the day , I just want to come home, veg, eat crap and watch TV….I wish I could set my own hours and do my own thing….the “Law of Attraction” is NOT working for me at all!!
Oh - and what’s the “cakey” part of your Smores yogurt?!!! I love it! I am definitely a stress-basket….if you’ve read through my past posts, it’s the story of my life…I get really down on myself about my lack of exercise and how much I eat….even if it’s generally healthy, it still just too much it feels compared to all the uber-healthy “perfect” bloggers….:(…blah.
Great tips!! And I stress SO easily. It’s ridiculous.
I de-stress by reading or by cooking/baking. Also, bubble baths are pretty awesome
And I agree about feeding your emotions… sometimes all you want for dinner is a big bowl of cereal and sometimes.. well that’s perfect.
Michelle (Snacks and Field) says
That S’Mores yogurty-ness looks incredible!!
&all those ways sound like GREAT ways to de-stress… I want some tea just thinking about it! I also think switching up your routine is super smart every once in a while- gets you out of your norms and keeps things interesting
Stef @ moretolifethanlettuce says
i’m dreading “the real world” and am trying to put it off as long as possible! but hey, you had smores yogurt today, that’s pretty awesome! great tips for destressing
Sonja @ ActiveFoodie says
I live in a permanent state of stress, unfortunately
But I love your tips on destressing! I do find a hot cup of tea very soothing. Also, my morning workouts help to relieve a lot of stress, I would prefer evning workouts, but that just doesn’t fit in my schedule. I am not a morning person, does one EVER become a morning person? …i hope so!! 
What an awesome smores mess! Love it! My stress level varies so much! I’m usually really easy going and take things as they come but if I do get stressed I try to take a few deep breaths and look at the bigger picture. Because life is way to short to be stressed…Don’t worry..be HAPPY! Words to live by! I love the idea of a warm washcloth. Sounds nice!
Teri (A Foodie Stays Fit) says
I’m glad you posted the link to this since I hadn’t read it. Great ideas!! I started drinking tea during the day at work. I hate my job but sipping tea really does help me “survive.” I love the idea to unplug too. I need to be better at that.
LOVE your blog!!