5 Ways to help you de-stress & Sleep Better….
JOURNAL:
The act of writing your thoughts down on paper can be very therapeutic, freeing your mind from carrying all those things around. Challenge yourself to also write down something you’re grateful for each day. Positive, calm thoughts will help frame your daily words & actions.
SLEEP:
A lot of people are having trouble sleeping right now, causing our minds, bodies & immune systems to suffer. Getting daily exercise, unplugging before bedtime and creating a calm sleeping environment (try adding lavender to your oil diffuser) have been shown helpful for obtaining 6-8 hours of quality rest each night. Set a bedtime and be diligent about sticking to it. Creating intentional sleep patters are key to managing stress.
MEDITATE:
Starting a daily habit of meditation or prayer time can help decrease stress. If you’re finding getting started difficult, set a timer for 3 minutes, count your breaths and don’t get caught up in whether you’re doing it ‘right’. Simply allow yourself to slow down & focus on your body, any feelings that arise, and release stressful thoughts before smiling and continuing with your day. Sometimes little “time-outs” throughout the day can have a huge benefit to your mental state.
UNPLUG:
Set aside ‘screen-free’ times during the day to help give your mind & eyes a break (from texts, social media, work or other online distractions). Don’t bring your phone into the bedroom—morning or night, your mind will benefit from escaping the unnecessary stress a phone screen can bring to start and end your days. Try “unplugging” at least 1 hour before you lay down to sleep. We know these are tough habits to break, but the benefits of disconnecting during certain times of the day can be very rewarding.
DIET:
What you put into your body is key, especially during times of elevated stress. Eating whole foods, drinking plenty of water, getting your daily vitamins, loading up on yummy friends and veggies can help balance the nutrients your body needs daily to feel calmer.
