Ease Your Tension: How to Relax (Even When Life Gets Busy)

Finding time to relax can seem impossible when your daily schedule is booked back to back. Between work, children, and everything in between, when is there ever time for yourself? It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of life, but you still need to remember how to relax.

Not only should you relax your muscles and your body, but you should also frequently relax your mind as well. Even when you feel as though there’s no time in the day to stop and relax, we’re here to tell you otherwise. 

Continue reading to learn how you can relax no matter how busy life gets. 

Make Everyday at Work a Day at the Spa

Whether you work at home or work in the office, you can make every workday a spa day with the right tips and tricks. One of the first things you should do right now is toss that old and uncomfortable desk chair. Find a modern massage chair or place a back massager on a new chair.

Be sure to use aromatherapy in the office as well. Plug a diffuser into the wall and diffuse calming essential oils, such as lavender, sandalwood, and more. Hang a few green plants to boost your mood and a motivational quote or two. 

When you combine all of these things together, you create a space that you’ll actually enjoy going to every day. 

Practice Breathing Exercises

Practicing breathing is one of the best ways to calm your mind and meditate. In fact, breathing is one of the most essential steps to complete when meditating. This is something you can do anywhere and at any time. 

Close your eyes, and take a deep breath in. Hold your breath for a few seconds and then slowly release. Repeat. 

You’ll want to do this a few times. As you’re breathing, be sure to focus on your breath. How does your breath feel as it passes through your nose and fills your lungs?

How does your body feel? There are a few different breathing techniques you can try that relieve stress. 

Make a List of Your Troubles

When stress is caused by a pile-up of anxieties and lists of things you must get done, writing down everything is a great way to clear your mind. Sometimes, we can become stressed out because we feel like our plate is overfilled. When this happens, it can be difficult to keep track of daily goals and so forth.

Writing a list of everything that’s on your mind helps you get these thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Once you have them written down, you can then start going through your tasks, finding ways to solve the problems at hand. 

Keep a Planner and Stay Organized 

Speaking of an overwhelming to-do list, if you have so many things to get done each day, throughout the week, or for the month, invest in a planner. Keeping a planner and staying organized is a great way to reduce daily stress.

Write down all of your work assignments and due dates, fill in your doctor’s appointments, your children’s doctor appointments, their sports games’ dates, and more.

If you have everything written down in your planner, you’re less likely to forget something and find yourself running around trying to do it last minute. 

Take Daily Walks or Spend Time Outdoors

When your head feels like it’s going to explode from so much anxiety and stress, take a few minutes to cool off outside. Spending time outdoors is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. You can take a walk or jog, ride your bike, or something else. 

While outdoors, listen to the birds and the wind in the trees. Look at all the nature around you. Take just a few moments to be in the present. 

Don’t think about the past, the future, or what needs to be done. Be in the now. 

You should also take a social media or electronic break. Put all cell phones and computers away for a specific amount of time each day to allow your mind to relax and refresh. 

Reconnect With an Old Hobby

What’s something you once loved to do but haven’t done in a long time? Maybe you used to enjoy rollerblading, painting, reading, fishing, or something else. 

Think about an old hobby and reconnect with it. Can’t think of an activity you used to do? Try something new!

You never know what you might end up liking. See if there are any classes offered in your area for different things, such as pottery, yoga, or more! You might discover a new favorite hobby. 

Learn How to Say, “No”

Do you often have a hard time telling people you can’t do something for them? Are you a people pleaser and hate saying, “no.”

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to help people and get things done, but there’s something wrong with it when it begins to negatively affect your own mental health.

You deserve a break every now and then. When’s the last time someone did something for you? It’s okay to say no when you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or you simply don’t have the time. 

If you honestly can’t do it, then they should be understanding. 

You Now Know How to Relax

After reading through this guide, we hope you now know how to relax even when you’re faced with a busy day. Use the tips listed here and remember self-care is essential if you want to remain productive. 

For more health and fitness tips, keep reading our blog.

Kenneth Bennett Atticus

Atticus Bennett: Atticus, a sports nutritionist, provides dietary advice for athletes, tips for muscle recovery, and nutrition plans to support peak performance.