The last couple of days (or maybe even weeks) have been stressful for a majority of us. It is really easy to get caught up in the news and in the world and forget that we have to take care of ourselves when we start to feel this way. So as you're reading this take some deep breaths. Un-clench your jaw and loosen your tongue from the roof of your mouth. Become aware of your facial muscles and begin to relax them and start to notice how you immediately feel lighter. Below are some tips for relaxation that I encourage you to try and you might be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards.
Release physical tension.
You have already done a bit of this in the beginning but were you surprised at how tense your face was? The first time I did this I felt so much better afterwards. It is surprising how tense you can be during the day or turning a particular task that you may not even realize it. Start with your face, shoulders, and work down the rest of your body.
Breathe it out.
Work on your breathing! Take in deep breaths and make sure that you are slowly releasing them. Taking deep breaths makes sure that your brain is getting enough oxygen which can immediately clear your mind. Taking these breaths will help you focus on just one thing; breathing, and will also calm your heart rate if you are agitated.
Listen to some soothing music.
There is a plethora of different playlists on Spotify, Youtube, and other streaming apps where you can find some relaxing tunes to fit your needs. Personally, when I am doing homework I like to listen to instrumental versions of my favorite songs. Also, if I am just laying in bed resting my eyes I play relaxing music to help my mind let loose and not focus on too many things.
Take a warm shower/bath.
The warm water from the shower will help relax your muscles. Light a candle, play some music, and take a "spa" inspired shower. Self-care is the most important type of care and this is something simple yet effective.
Massage your feet.
Ok so massaging your own feet is no where near as good as getting them massaged by someone else but the benefits are still the same. Grab your favorite lotion or your favorite essential oil and just run your feet in the places that release tension/ feel good. This is a big one for me because after long waitressing nights my feet ache, so doing this for a bit before going to sleep makes all the difference for the next morning.
