In America, 78% of us are stressed at least one day a week. Even worse is, 15% of us are stressed every day!

It’s true that we’re a nation that works hard. But many of us forget to destress and relax as well. And as a result, both our mental and physical health can suffer.

You know what they say: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. If you’ve been feeling stress out, then you might be wondering about how to relax and destress.

Thankfully, we’ve got you covered! Read on for 8 relaxation tips you’ve got to follow.

1. Go Out for a Walk

No matter if you’re in the middle of a concrete jungle or if you live next to the woods, going out for a walk can do wonders for your mental state. Just the physical act of getting out, walking around, and taking in some fresh air can help you blow off some steam and burn off some extra energy.

While you’re out, make sure you consciously notice your surroundings. Appreciate how blue the sky is, how fresh the air smells, and how beautiful the plants are. Putting these positive thoughts in your head can decrease negativity and stress.

2. Do Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This is a neat exercise to do because by focusing on relaxing your muscles, your mind will follow!

What you’ll want to do is lie down and close your eyes. Starting with the muscles in your toes, tense them for 5 seconds and then relax them for 30 seconds. Repeat this as many times as you want, but slowly move up your body until you reach your neck and head.

What’s great is you can spend as little or as much time as you want doing progressive muscle relaxation! And at the end of this exercise, you’ll feel refreshed and destressed.

3. Do Breathwork

A lot of people don’t realize that when they’re stressed out, they don’t breathe properly. This can have a huge effect on how anxious you feel!

This exercise is similar to progressive muscle relaxation, but it solely focuses on how you breathe in and out. Find somewhere quiet to sit in and close your eyes, honing in on how you’re currently breathing.

Now breathe in slowly through your nose while counting to 5, then hold your breath for another 5 seconds (don’t rush it). Exhale slowly through your mouth while counting to 5 once again.

While you’re doing this exercise, make sure your body is as relaxed as can be. You can also put a hand on your stomach to consciously feel each breath that goes in and out.

4. Get Off the Internet

The beauty of the internet and associated tech is there’s a world of information at our fingertips. But that’s a double-edged sword, as it’s very easy to get overloaded with information.

People are also finding that social media can increase their stress. Everyone puts their best versions online, which means it can feel like you’re doing poorly in comparison to your friends.

Taking some time out of your day to unplug from the internet can help clear your mind!

5. Do Some Arts and Crafts

Do you have a knitting or crochet project that you’ve been wanting to finish? Or have you wanted to pick up painting but just never got around to it?

Arts and crafts are an excellent way to relax because arts are soothing. Not only that, but they allow you to exercise your mind without it being too overloaded or stressed out.

In addition to doing arts and crafts, try putting on some music in the background or a funny TV show. Either will enchance your relaxed state.

6. Start Journaling

Many of us keep too many thoughts and emotions bottled up. It might seem effective, but the truth is, all that has to be released somewhere, sometime. And if all you do is bottle it up, this might happen at the most unexpected and inconvenient time!

Journaling can be a good way to get all your thoughts out in a helpful and healthy way. You can feel the weight lift from your shoulders as you write.

Your journal can also be an excellent way to see how your moods have been. It can be the key to getting a diagnosis if you feel like you need one.

7. Try CBD

CBD is a cannabinoid that’s rising in popularity. This is because it’s a close cousin of THC, the active compound in cannabis that gets you high and relaxed. But the great thing about CBD is that while it has relaxing properties, it won’t incapacitate you nor make your head all fuzzy!

So if you enjoy the benefits that come with consuming marijuana, but don’t want to get high, CBD is a fantastic alternative. And with brands like Infused CBD Marketplace, you’ll be able to choose from various products, including delicious edibles that are tasty and discreet!

8. Take a Bath

When was the last time you took a nice long soak? There’s a very good chance your tub has been neglected!

Draw yourself a nice bath and tell everyone in your house not to disturb you while you’re in there. Light some candles; scented ones are nice for aromatherapy!

Taking a bath is one of the best stress relief ideas because you can also combine some of the other tips in this article with it. For example, you can do the progressive muscle relaxation exercise and breathwork, and take some CBD beforehand to get extra-relaxed!

Use These Relaxation Tips to Improve Your Quality of Life

While some stress is good to keep you on your toes, too much of it can cause your quality of life to suffer. With these relaxation tips under your belt, you’re on your way to a better life.

Make sure you take some time to focus on yourself and destress. That small investment of time will be worth it when you can thrive and be happy and healthy!

Now that you’ve learned how to destress, keep relaxing by reading more of our interesting blog articles!