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We all know stress is a part of everyday life and that some stress is actually good for you, but we also are very aware that most stress is not. Even with the best intentions it is so easy to let stress creep in and take over our day. So what's a person to do?
Well one great way to ease tension and stress is to have a way to release it. Creating a relaxation tool box to live life with more flow and ease can help. We can't kid ourselves and pretend stress doesn't bother us or make it disappear, but we can find effective methods to release it and let it flow from us.
Creating a tool kit is one such method. You have a tool box full of different tools at home because you never know what tool you may need next when something breaks. A relaxation kit is similar, our stress circumstances vary and it is not always a "one answer fits all" solution so having choices makes it easier.
Having different methods to deal with stress gives you a menu to choose from and helps keep it fun and interesting as well as meets your mental, emotional and physical needs depending on what you're feeling. Sometimes you may want a physical release when it comes to stress and at others it may serve you better to have a more gentle path to release your stress.
If your looking to chill out and unwind here are some tools to throw into your tool box when it comes to stressing less and relaxation. When creating an actual tool box the first thing is to make a list of the things to do when your stressed. It may seem obvious but when stress hits our brain may not remember everything on your list so this is an easy step to help you out.
You can have a stress bag, basket, box or what ever floats your boat.
Pop in some essential oils mini massager [one of the little vibrating ones for your neck]
Foot roller
Bean bag neck wrap [you can heat and wrap around your neck]
Bean bag head bag [relieves sinus pressure and really helps with tension headaches]
CD's with favorite relaxing music
DVD with comedy
Bath essential Oil
Cozy socks
Dark chocolate
Good book to get lost in
Anything that makes you feel pampered
Here are 7 steps to relieve your stress
1. Essential Bath.
A hot bath can really help you unwind after a difficult day, and adding bath salts and essential oils can intensify those calming effects. Lavender, peppermint, geranium and grapefruit are wonderful scents. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy also suggests these essential oils for relaxation: ylang-ylang, geranium, peppermint, lavender, lemon, sage, chamomile, and rosemary. Also keep in mind that essential oils may not be a good idea if you're undergoing cancer treatment; have high blood pressure, diabetes, or skin sensitivities; or if you're pregnant or nursing. Talk to your doctor first in these cases.
2. Meditation. Clearing your mind through meditation is an ancient spiritual tradition, but the National Institutes of Health has found that Americans are also using it to treat anxiety, depression, and stress-related and other health problems. There are no rules, you can meditate alone or with a group, using a CD or silence -- you can even meditate while walking. Meditation reduces stress by slowing your heart rate, balancing your blood pressure, and increasing deep breathing.
3. Aromatherapy Scented essential oils or anything that smells good to you can help you relax. Keep your preferred scents in places where you often experience stress, such as at your work desk or in your car for getting through rush-hour traffic. There are plenty to choose from so if you need some help picking one out Aveda [search on line for a location near you] has many to choose from and are very helpful and knowledgeable with the process. Keep in mind, though, that essential oils may not be a good idea if you're undergoing cancer treatment; have high blood pressure, diabetes or skin sensitivities; or if you're pregnant or nursing. Talk to your doctor first in these cases.
4. Hang Like A Bat Hanging upside down can be very relaxing and relieve physical tension. You can make it simple by hanging over a chair, exercise ball, or going to a yoga class to learn how to do head, hand, and shoulder stands. Being inverted is beneficial because it is believed that yoga inversions help move stagnant energy, relieve pressure on the heart, and cleanse the lymphatic system. You shouldn't do these inversions, though, if you have heart disease, hypertension glaucoma or other eye diseases, or are pregnant.
5. Touch Therapy Therapeutic treatments such as deep tissue massage, acupressure, acupuncture, and chiropractic care, reflexology can relieve pain when our bodies ache or feel tense and also help fulfill our need to be physically comforted not to mention how wonderful it feels.
6. Get Physical & Create Endorphins: Getting physical is an excellent
tension tamer and stress reliever. You don't have to know how to lift
weights or go for a 5 mile run to get the benefits. Walking is a great way to get physical or creating some type of movement that gets your blood pumping will do the trick. It loosens up your body, activates your endorphins, and makes you feel great. You can work out in a gym, on your own, or at a Pilates, yoga, or dance class, your body will benefit and you'll reduce stress at the same time. Throwing on your favorite music and dancing around your house even gets the job done.
7. Take in Some Vitality It's not a coincidence that relaxation CDs include the sounds of nature. Whether you're walking in the woods, sitting on a beach, or strolling through a city park, nature will rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Ten minutes outside with nature can really help connect with yourself and nature. If you can't make it outside because of the weather, close your eyes and bring yourself to your favorite places in nature. See it, feel it, touch it and smell it. Make it as real as possible with warm breezes, the feel of the sun on your face and the mist of the ocean on your skin. Smell the fresh air and hear the birds chirping. | 
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