Wellness Wednesday: Unconventional ways to de-stress
1. Paint
Painting is a great way to relieve stress because it's a creative outlet. You can throw all your emotions into the canvas, or you can immerse yourself in a work of art completely separate from the things stressing you out and any tension will wash away! Check out Muse Paintbar for painting sessions led by a helpful instructor, plus there's wine, beer and food included!
2. Buy a plant
We've all heard that plants help purify the air in our homes, but studies have shown that the presence of greenery actually has calming effects! For plants delivered right to your door, head over to The Sill, which ships adorable potted plants like cacti and succulents nationwide!
3. Dance
Dancing is just plain good for the soul, but it's also an awesome form of exercise which is ideal for eliminating stress. Release those endorphins and get your groove on right in your living room with Julianne Hough's Just Dance!, the Zumba Slimdown DVD set or Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis at-home dance program!
4. Massage your ears
Massaging any part of the body is probably going to be relaxing, but the earlobes are an extra sensitive place with the power to affect other parts of your body and mind. Eastern medicine believes that stimulating various points on the ear correspond to healing for other areas of the body. For an additional boost of zen, use peppermint essential oil when rubbing your ears, which has a calming effect due to its cooling sensation.
5. Eat a banana
Experiencing stress can cause your body to lose potassium, so if you increase your potassium intake with foods like bananas, sweet potatoes and tomato sauces, you may help save your body from feeling extra stressed out!
6. Kickbox
Perhaps the most satisfying way to get out any stress or frustration in your life, kickboxing is the perfect physical outlet for all that pent-up emotion. While you can take kickboxing classes at boutique boxing studios like SHADOWBOX, you can also kickbox on your own at home with programs like this one.
A post shared by Shadowbox (@sbx_boxing) on Sep 2, 2015 at 3:26pm PDT
7. Take a shower
Sometimes you just need to wash off the crazy day you've had, and a hot shower is a great way to actually do that. And, you can take it to the next level of relaxation by using essential oil-infused body washes and lotions for a little de-stressing aromatherapy. Try using this Burt's Bees body wash and follow it up with this all-natural post-rinse body oil -- we can't get enough of it.
8. Travel
People often think traveling itself can be stressful, but sometimes you just need to go somewhere. Escape your life, even if only for a day, and treat yourself to a day off work, a good meal, maybe some sun and a good book. You'd be surprised at how much good it can do a person. Whether you need a little sun and sand, time spent in the great outdoors or are hoping to hunker down for a day or two, a trip might be exactly what you need!
Click through the slideshow below to see 27 jobs to avoid if you hate stress:
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