3 Easy Ways to Relax and Reduce Stress in 10 Minutes

Did you know that 75% of today’s diseases start with stress? Stress is a condition that is often characterized by symptoms of physical or emotional tension. Finding your own personal ways to cope with stress helps your body to operate more efficiently by relieving this tension. If finding time for yourself is one of your stressors in life, than try some of these simple techniques that you can easily incorporate into your busy day. Taking at least 10 minutes a day to relax and reduce stress can add to the quality of your over all health and happiness in life.

1. Light Exercise – Getting our body in motion is a great way to relieve tension and a simple 10 minute walk outside can do wonders. Walk briskly or walk slowly, just going with whatever is needed at that moment without judgement. Some Self Myofascial Release is a great way to move or a short yoga practice. I have found some amazing yoga instructors on the internet whose short videos fit into my busy schedule. One of my favorites is Esther Ekhart.

2. Become Still – 10 minutes of deep breathing or meditation can greatly help to relax both the mind and body. If you’re new to meditation try reading some books for beginners or follow a recorded guided meditation. Here’s a Beginner Guided Meditation for Body Awareness to help get you started. Breathing exercises are also great because they can be used anywhere. While closing the eyes breathe deeply and slowly to the bottom of the diaphragm for 8-10 breaths, then continue to sit and relax allowing the breath to come naturally without trying to influence it.

3. Aromatherapy – Inhalation of certain pure essential oils like Lavender, Marjoram, German or Roman Chamomile, and certain Bach Flower remedies act as a sedative and tension reliever. If diffusing scents into the air is not possible at the home or office, pour a few drops on a cotton ball and place it into a paper bag that you can easily breathe into. For more information on how Aromatherapy works please visit my blog “Understanding how Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Work.”