It’s been said time and time again, the past 16 months have been some of the toughest for many people, accompanied by great levels of stress and anxiety. In the midst of all this, we can often forget or disregard our well being and getting grounded. With stress related to job security, home schooling children and working from home, “YOU” time has become, more than ever, truly necessary and life changing. And what are some easy and quick ways we can reduce our stress and anxiety on a daily basis?
Meditation- Taking a few minutes a day to just be with your own self and quiet the mind. Meditation is known to increase your sense of awareness and focused attention while greatly diminishing stress and anxiety. Our candle Lavender + Sage with its soothing aroma of lavender, sage & patchouli, has been inspired by the practice of meditation and discovering your inner peace. And what’s great about meditation is that you can do it even on a tight schedule. A few minutes a day are enough.
Enjoy a moment of pleasure- find a short moment to do something you enjoy- sip on a cup of coffee in the garden or the park, light a candle, put on that face mask, take a bath, read or enjoy a walk. Finding time to do something you truly enjoy, no matter how small it is, will decrease your stress while improving your mood.
Journaling- the practice of journaling is not only essential for keeping your brain and cognitive processes in top shape, but it also offers an incredible outlet to release emotions and reflect on our experiences while rediscovering our priorities.
Have some fun- using your hands and your creative nature has been proven to help with significantly reducing stress. Gardening, painting/drawing or any arts & crafts projects can be a great way to decompress and also spend quality time with yourself.
Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for support. When the responsibilities and stress of daily life become overwhelming, talk to your friends or family about it, reach out to a counsellor, share your vulnerabilities and don't shy away from asking for help when you need it.