Hi Dollies!

Just the other week, I had a little nervous breakdown because of my stress levels rising too suddenly due to school. I knew one was bound to happen sometime during the year, but I never expected it this early. This encouraged me to rethink my routine, so here are 5 tips from me to reduce stress in a healthy way:

Deep Breathing: This ties in with meditation, but since I don’t believe in spirits and guides, I stick to just taking a 5 minute breather to slow down and think about myself. I use the 4-7-8 technique: inhale through your nose to the count of 4, hold for 7, and let it out of your mouth for 8.

Socializing and Laughing: Finding company in friends is a good distraction, especially if they’re friends you love to laugh with. The warm feeling that lingers after a good laugh is a result of lowered cortisol (stress chemical) and increased endorphins. 

Chocolate!: Dark chocolate also lowers levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. It comes with many health benefits too, as cocoa is rich in antioxidants, reduces blood pressure and improves mood. I love dark chocolate, even 90%, so this is a great option for me.

Exercise: Perhaps you’ve heard of runner’s high, the great feeling euphoria after a long run. In fact, any form of exercise can create this feeling, high impact or quiet yoga, just get your body moving and your mood will rise.

Reflection (Gratitude): Focusing on positives in your life cancels out your negative thoughts and worries. Keeping a journal is helpful for helping you remember these when you feel down. 

These are just my favorite strategies, there are many more out there, so what are your methods of reducing stress?

Take care,

♡ Joanne