This post was created in partnership with Yaasa. I was not financially compensated for this post but did receive a sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me! #YaasaStudios
Life is crazy busy. Chafuerring people to appointments, dealing with school holidays, and troubleshooting website redesign issues is what this week has been like so far. This is all on top of my backlog of normal work and household duties.
Needless to say, I don't have the time to really relax — like run away to a pool sipping a margarita kind of relax. SO I have to take what I can get. Here are some quick and easy ways to reduce stress and relax in 5 minutes or less.
Stress Management Tip 1: Light Some Candles
Aromatherapy is all the rage these days. You can't turn around without someone trying to sell you essential oils. I have to be honest, I've jumped on that bandwagon — well using them anyway. I love using them in DIY crafty type projects around the house.
Did you know smells change our mood?. That's why I love candles!
Lately, I've been enjoying The Time Collection by Yaasa. Each scented candle in this collection is cleverly named after a time. I received a Three Forty-Five and Eight Thirty candle and boy do they smell amazing!
Three Forty-Five Candle
Want to pretend you're at the beach when you have deadlines breathing down your neck? Then this is the candle for you! It features an oceanic fragrance with hints of citrus, seawater, and sage.
Eight Thirty Candle
Need to relax with a romantic candlelit glow? This candle tosses around scents of gardenia, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. They will intrigue your senses and calm your mind.
These candles are amazing. I can literally burn one for maybe an hour and then the next day I can still smell it. Plus I love their color scheme. Champagne gold and black go with everything!
A Little About Yaasa
Yaasa is a fairly new startup mainly known for their adjustable beds, desks, and amazing mattresses. As you now know, they also offer a couple of fun accessories like candles and blankets.
Stress Management Tip 2: Contact a Therapist or Give Yourself a Massage
Are you tense? Contacting a therapist specializing in massage therapy is a great way to relieve some tension. Massages help increase the flow of blood and oxygen and plain just make you feel good.
You can also DIY this if a professional massage is not in your budget. Start with your hands and feet.
Grab some lotion and a small ball or two. Using the lotion, rub the muscle under your thumb. And, if you're talented, at the same time, rub your feet back and forth over a small ball.
Oh, yeah! Scalp massages are great too. I especially love them in the shower with my handy shampoo brush.
Massages are great for quick stress relief and have even been known to lower blood pressure!
Stress Management Tip 3: Retreat to a Stress-free Zone
We all could use some alone time. I know this is easier said than done for most moms. But whenever you get the chance, run to your stress-free zone. FAST.
I recommend your bedroom be your safe zone. Why? Because you already associate it with happy things like sleep.
Make sure your room is set up with a super comfy bed and mattress like those from Yaasa. Yaasa's sleep system allows you to adjust to whatever position is most comfortable for YOU. With just a click of a button, support can be where you need it most!
Being alone for just a couple of minutes really clears my mind and allows me to collect my thoughts.
Lay on your bed, close your eyes, and maybe meditate for a little bit concentrating on your breathing.
And maybe light a candle too 😉
Stress Management Tip 4: Run in Place
Get up and run. It's that easy! It'll get your feel-good hormones pumping plus get you in shape. It's a win, WIN!
Stress Management Tip 5: Write it Out
Writing can be very relaxing especially when you have something pestering your brain. Get it out — whatever is bothering you. Trust me, it'll make you feel better.
Stress Management Tip 6: Pet your Cat or Dog
Whenever I am upset petting my cat always makes me feel better. It calms me, and it's no wondering considering it can reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
Plus it gives you more of those feel-good hormones everyone loves!
Stress Management Tip 7: Bask in the Sun
The sun makes me happy! I just love relaxing by the pool in the summer (with sunscreen, of course). Sunlight is known to be mood-lifting thanks to another feel-good hormone serotonin.
All of the feel-good hormones should be bottled, right? Do you have any stress management tips to share?
These are so great tips. I do need to work on relaxing and have a space to do it.
What activities do you find most relaxing?
I like this article. Thanks for sharing it.🛀
I always get relaxed when I soak in the bathtub. Holding my dog, laying with her relaxes me more than anything
Sounds like your dog is very comforting. What kind do you have?
For me reading a good book reduces stress. I also like using essential oils in my diffuser.
I need a new diffuser. I have all of these oils and no diffuser 🙁
It was a lot harder when I was still raising the 5 kids, haha but I’d sneak in at least short destress me time in as I could. There were days that just getting to pee in peace without kids knocking and yelling for me at the door felt like a mini-vacation. Haha.
Now that we are empty nesters, it’s VERY easy and I do a variety of things often.
1. Cuddling our Oriental Shorthair cat & cockatiel & feeding, photographing and adoring birds & variety of wildlife in our yard & on the patio through the sliding glass doors and taking in the beautiful scenery while sipping coffee or tea is very relaxing.
2, Enjoying a massage from neck to feet in our indulgently wonderful treat of a massage chair in our bedroom. Helps me with migraines, anxiety attacks, insomnia etc too!
3. I feel very blessed that our apt complex has an outdoor and also a year-round indoor pool and sauna, here in Michigan and I LOVE using those and swimming laps relaxes me and puts me in a trance and doesn’t even feel like exercise, more like fun playtime.
4. I love listening and singing along to uplifting Contemporary Christian music or 60’s & 70’s music (I also like current pop & the 90s and early 2000 pop too). I love flower children type music I grew up to.
5. I love using self-hypnosis videos on youtube for pretty much anything under the sun. It’s healthy, relaxing and therapeutic.
6. NAPS! (I”m sorry I was mean to you when I was a little kid, naps!” Haha!)
Wow, I love everything you do to unwind. And I love that you love all kinds of animals too. They help me relax too.
A long soak in a hot bubble bath helps me relax. To make it even better, I usually have a book or a new magazine to enjoy while I soak.
What books do you like to read?
I like laying in the tub in my lavender epsom salts with my candle burning. This is so relaxing for me. I also relax while I am reading. Thank you so much for sharing
What book are you currently reading to relax?
I like all your ideas. My favorite way to relieve stress is to take a walk while listening to an audio book.
Sounds like something my husband would enjoy or my son. They are always listening to podcasts.
I love lighting candles. They are so relaxing. I am doing a couple of these things but I really need to try the rest. Thank you so much for sharing this great information
Candles are pretty great. I hope you get the much-needed rest you need very soon!
I always make sure to put the kids down early (bedtime is 7:30 PM). That gives myself plenty of time to treat myself to a good book or a Netflix show. : )
I wish I could get the kids to go to bed at 730pm lol. One goes to bed at 830pm but my oldest is usually 930-10 if I’m lucky.
I’m Type A to the max, so sometimes, I need to remind myself to just stop and breathe! I’ve also been trying to make it a point to think about WHY I’m all worked up and tell myself it will be ok.
I also meditate. Not nearly as much as I should or want to, but I need to make myself sit and do that more because it does help.
Thank you for your ideas, too! 😍
Do you have any tips for meditating?
I need to run or workout everyday to unwind and have time for myself. I also like to read.
I need to workout more. Maybe I’ll try after I get over this sickness.
I relax by listening to music, and taking a nice, long bath with candles and epsom salt
Sounds like something I wish I was doing right now. Ha!
Take a warm shower after the kids are in bed is my stress relief typically. I also enjoy petting our cats or our bunny when it’s nice and quiet in the house.
Awe, what kind of bunny do you have? My son is wanting one.
I can relax by playing music. Another method is getting away from the urban noise or noise pollution.
Music can be very relaxing depending on the beat.
I stress easily, so I have to have some solid plans in place to relax and enjoy life. I write, I read. My room is my haven. Large soft bed with soft lighting. I absolutely love going out on our boat in the early summer morning, just as the sun is rising, the fog lifting off the water. It is relaxing to the max and I am filled with serenity after a day on the water.
Taking a boat ride sounds very nice and beautiful! I can understand why you love it.
I like to take a hot bubble bath to relax. I also like to burn scented candles and have a huge collection.
Where do you buy your favorite candles?
One of my favorite ways to relax is by taking a nice, warm bath. I especially love it when I have good smelling bubble bath or epsom salts. A good book is also always an awesome escape for a little while.
I need to by some bubble bath and get a bigger tub lol
I can relax easily by reading, especially if it’s a book I’ve already started. Another way for me to relax is to call friend & just chat.
What book are you reading now, Judy?
I love to curl up with a good book to relax.I also enjoy listening to music to relax.
What book are you currently reading?
I relax by turning off everything, have a cocktail, and listen to soothing music.
Sounds very relaxing! What’s your favorite cocktail?
I find that when I’m upset about something, writing about it can help me calm down. Plus I’m more eloquent in writing so it helps me to explain why I’m upset to others.
I keep trying to tell my son to do that when he’s upset. I’m going to get him a journal for Valentines Day and hope he uses it.
Weaving & sewing were my “me” things but pinched nerve in neck has made those activities painful. Surgery for that in April but for now walks in the woods with dogs & cats are my relaxing time.
Ouch! I’m sorry you pinch a nerve. That doesn’t sound fun at all. I hope your surgery goes smoothly!
I have had a lot of stress in my life lately. I try to carve out a bit of time for me when possible. What I love to do is yoga and then also knitting.
I’m sorry your life is stressful right now. I hate when everything just piles on.
Tip number 7 will have to wait a few more weeks. Sunny days are few & far between in NE Ohio during the winter. :/
It’s been gloomy here too and I’m in Texas.
Working out is my go to stress management! Some days that means weights, others cardio, but sometimes mama just needs a good 10min to get zenned out with some yoga.
You sound like a very healthy person. I need to start exercise more!
Usually I click on links my friends post on social media
lol, that can be relaxing and distracting at the same time. Score!
Wait, we’re supposed to de-stress in 5 minutes or less? Yeah, that ain’t happening at my house lol
Lol it’s a start, right? Got to get that ball rolling lol.
Reading helps relax me.I also listen to music to relax.
What have you been reading lately?
I use wax melting tarts in place of candles during the day.
I like tarts too. Have you found any way to make the scent last longer?
LOL, the kids get upset when they are made to have a timeout, and here we are, as adults, almost begging for one.😉
I know, right? PLEASE put me in time out lol.
I lke your points. I also like to read. That is a relaxer to me.
What’s currently your favorite book?
I love to relax with a good book. A nice hot bath is wonderful also.
What are you currently reading?
I love to play soothing music and lay on my couch. I turn off all the lights and have no sensory interuptions
Is it classical that you listen to?
No MOM…I did for awhile upon my pyschiatrists advice..:) but now that I am an old man, I listen to a remix (dubbing) of about 10 different tapes I made of the old days when singers/bands could really sing..and not use techno-crap or half naked ladies to divert attention from their actual inabilities
That sounds like something my grandfather would enjoy listening to!
I have a lot of trouble relaxing. Sometimes I will grab a large/medium to hard difficulty crossword puzzle and try to focus on it for at least 45 minutes. Its not for everyone but I find my stress melt away when I can focus on it instead.
I’ll have to try that sometime. I haven’t done a crossword puzzle in forever.
Man y ways to deal with stress, I find exercise the best outlet for me. Of course moderate stress is great, making stress your friend and connecting with others boosts oxytocin levels
What can of exercise helps you with stress?
i am really not good at relaxing on my own, but i try to take a walk or go someplace nice by myself,
Does it help you relax if you aren’t alone?
yeah, i have 4 kids and we are a connected parenting family, so often someone needs to come along. they are aware that thesetrips are relaxing trips and not “get me something at the store ” trips… i think it’s good for kids to see that you find ways to provide self care?
Yes, most definitely. They will notice the need more as they age.
I like to watch a funny youtube video/clip to relax. I usually laugh and feel better instantly!
Who is your favorite youtube star?
All great tips. Self care is so important. I use candles in a quiet room by myself to relax…
I love candles!! Now I just need a hot tub lol.
Great ideas, I love walking. Walking gets me out to smell fresh air and I can think about myself and how walking makes me feel good.
Walking is good. I need to get back to it. The weather has been so gloomy here we haven’t had the urge to.
These are good ideas. Some of these we might not thing of when we’re stressed out like pet your cat or dog. That should always help. I try to go somewhere quiet and listen to music with a good smelling candle. Hug are the best to destress for grandma’s
Petting your animals is a great relief. It makes me happier too!
I love your ideas here, Sometimes I put a warm cloth over my eyes to help me to relax.
@tisonlyme143
These are great ideas. I love basking in the sun too!
Great tips! I honestly never thinking to give myself a massage but that’s a great idea! I am definitely a person that finds a lot of relief in writing!
Writing can be very therapeutic. I especially need it at night if I can’t sleep.