#ZEN: 8 WAYS TO STRESS LESS AND LAUGH MORE
1. SWITCH LATTES FOR GREEN TEAS
If you’re feeling stressed, it might be a good idea to switch your daily Skim Latte for a mug of green tea. Green tea is known for its calming properties as it contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has a soothing effect on those who drink it. Studies have shown that green tea can alleviate stress and shift into a relaxed state, releasing serotonin and dopamine (the ‘feel good’ chemicals in your brain). So, aim to have 2-3 cups throughout the day to help you feel at ease.
2. MEDITATION IS KEY
One of the best ways to quiet your mind is through meditation. Meditation reduces stress and tension levels, fights anxiety, helps you to stay focused and promotes emotional wellbeing. Participating in weekly yoga and meditation classes is a great way of calming your mind. But if you feel you’d benefit more from meditating in your own time, there are plenty of online and audio-guided meditations for you to try. This way, you can meditate in the comfort of your own home or somewhere in nature. Try to aim for approximately 15 minutes of meditating per day to help you relax.
3. MOZART ON REPEAT
Okay, so Mozart probably doesn’t make an appearance on your favourite Spotify playlist…however, it’s a known fact that listening to classical music helps to relieve stress and improves work satisfaction! It’s particularly useful when you’re working, as it boosts productivity and improves creative thinking! So if you’re finding it hard to concentrate at times, give classical music a try, you’ll reap the benefits!
4. BURN BABY BURN!
Our stress levels can have a negative impact on our sleep routine. If our mind is racing with thoughts, we’ll find it harder to fall asleep at night and get the recommended 8 hours of shuteye we well and truly need. But instead of restlessly tossing and turning and trying to force your body to go to sleep, try placing a few drops of chamomile or lavender oil on your pillow before you hit the sheets! These essential oils have a calming effect on the body and mind…you’ll be asleep within minutes!
5. RELEASE THOSE ENDORPHINS
Walking, running, cycling, dancing – whatever form of exercise you enjoy the most, make sure you do it regularly! Exercise is a major stress-reliever. It triggers your brain to release endorphins, which helps you to feel good about yourself and have a positive outlook on life. It’s the best way to improve your mood, so make sure you work out on a regular basis so you can get the most out of it!
6. LAUGHING TILL YOU CRY
We all have that one television show or movie that, no matter what mood we’re in, instantly puts us in stiches of laughter. So, if you’re looking to take your mind off things, snuggle up on the couch and put on your favourite ‘feel-good’ show. Nothing beats a few episodes of Friends after a hard days work!
7. SWITCHING OFF
This is an important one, but something that many of us struggle to achieve. It’s vital that we let ourselves ‘switch off’, particularly at the end of the day or working week. Many of us are guilty of over-working and not giving ourselves enough leisure time. So, find simple ways to help you switch off when you need to – it might be that you leave your phone at home when you go out or that you don’t open your emails over the weekend. These minor changes can help you to make the most out of your free time without getting distracted.
8. “COLOUR-ME-HAPPY” BOOKS
It’s the new, sought-after trend that you all need to try. The latest craze in adult colouring is helping people to unwind and de-stress at the end of the day. Colouring reduces stress and anxiety as it brings the mind to a point of attention and allows you to merely focus on one thing and one thing only. It’s both physically and psychologically therapeutic – so grab a book of your choice and colour your worries away! Our favourite is The Lust List Sally Pratt’s “The Colouring Book”.
