A Few Tips on How to Relieve Stress

Bubble Bath: I went to Bath and Body Works and got stress relieving oils for a bubble bath. I put on soft classical music and took a bubble bath. I massaged my body with oils and then sat in the bath for a half hour. It relaxes you so much you will think your skin is sleeping.

Chamomile Tea: I am a bad coffee drinker, I drink a lot of coffee, but I would drink tea instead and the warmth of chamomile tea makes you feel good, cozy, and relaxed. It is also good for you.     

Have a Conversation: I talked to people, my parents, friends and family about what was bothering me, what was causing the stress and their love and support healed me deeply. I saw a therapist once a week and we discussed the meaning of situations and how different situations evolved. We talked out the problem and came up with solutions. Having a conversation with a stranger about a book or something in the news will take you away from your worries for a moment and get you involved. Talking relieves you of any extra tension you may feel from work, family, or illness.    

Music: Buy fresh vegetables and grains and make a nice healthy meal for yourself. Put on music that suits your mood, soft if you need to be more relaxed or something with an up beat if you are down and trying to be uplifted. Try to pick something with a good message, a love song or a song about friendship. Sing along as your cooking. Music heals and uplifts the soul and lets you escape whatever is stressing you out. I would sometimes put on a dance song and just dance in my living room to feel free and open. I would just let myself go and be taken by the sounds. Nobody is watching so just let yourself be free and laugh.

Comedy: Watch a funny movie or read a funny book. If you cannot focus because your stressed read a book on tape, I am beginning to love them. Talk to a friend who you laugh with or go look up funny videos. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine.

Fall In Love: Love heals everything. Falling in love, meeting new people, and enjoying family relieve a lot of stress. Love gives you a euphoric feeling that will keep you happy, healthy, and alive.

Listen To, Observe, And Feel Nature: I was at my parents’ house in Long Island last summer and a thousand bird were singing; it created a warm beautiful feeling to sit outside in their backyard and listen to the birds sing while they flew from tree to tree. I always loved the birds in New York City. I saved old bread for them and observed them flying and eating and chirping to each other. If I was in the city I would go to Central Park and stroll by the lake or I would travel to the Hudson and feel peace from the sounds and movements of the water, the trees, and the beautiful surprises in the sky. Watch the stars emerge and think about change and how even rough times in your life will pass. Be quiet with yourself, allow yourself to not think. Experience the colors and smells of the grass and flowers, the bugs and butterflies that fly pass, and feel the wind soft on your face. Listening to wind can calm me and bring me peace. Watching a sunset or sunrise creates a beautiful feeling of awe, grace and gratitude. Feel small inside nature, take notice of details and envision how beautiful it really is. If you meditate on how it is all put together and works you would be amazed at the little things in life. Observe people in interaction with each other who are in love, a bird flying into the air, or a sun rising just beyond a beach and see how beautiful nature is and beautiful you are too as a piece of it.