Back to School, Back to You
September is a time of transition. Summer has faded, fall begins, kids return to school and we all retire our sunglasses 🙁
As a parent it can be hard to find time for yourself, especially during times of transition.Most of the activities you would do to relieve stress take more time than you have, or it stresses you out to fit them into your schedule!
When you do have a few solemn minutes to yourself it can be easy to just open your favorite social media app, counting that as “you time”. But studies show that social media generally does more harm than good to our general psyches. They can contribute to low self esteem, decreased feeling of gratitude and higher anxiety levels.
Here are 7 things you can do in 10 minutes or less that are both stress reducing and healthier for you than surfing social media.
- Youtube yoga: search 10 minute yoga flow or stress reducing yoga, there’s plenty of options. Spandex optional.
- Walk by yourself: No phone. No music. Just you, the quiet, and fresh air. Studies prove it can do wonders for your mood and energy levels.
- Edible Gardening: there are a list of easy to grow, hard to kill plants that take VERY little upkeep (kale is embarrassingly easy). Growing, preparing, and eating your own food can bring a higher level of satisfaction through delayed gratification.
- Listen to music you enjoy: studies show that both enjoying music and singing out loud can immediately lift your mood. I dare you to listen to Jesse’s Girl and not sing along.
- Deep breathing: it physiologically decreases your flight or fight response, decreasing muscle tension, adrenaline, and stress. There’s a reason “take a deep breath” became the go-to way to calm down.
- Oil Diffusing: essential oils can have great effects on mood and emotions. Lavender is calming, peppermint is energizing, lemon is cleansing. Using an oil diffuser to put these scents into the air is a cheap and easy way to reap these benefits.
- Foam Rolling or Stretching: While we at Mobility Plus don’t recommend static stretching before a workout, if stretching or foam rolling feels good to you, do it! Spending 10 minutes connecting with your body and caring for it can be a good interruption to your busy day.
It’s almost as good as a massage. Almost….
There it is, 7 easy ways to de-stress while having a positive impact on your health in 10 minutes or less! Enjoy 🙂
If you know anyone who could benefit from these tips, please share with them! We are here to help!
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