Life can get busy, stressful and chaotic for all of us at times. Pressures from work, family problems, relationship issues, changes in health or stress can all throw out the balance. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about lots of these kinds of things, we have to take the good with the bad and deal with everything as best we can. One way you can look after your mental health and prevent burnout during difficult times is to take time to relax and bring balance back to your life.
Putting your feet up can feel like a bit of a luxury, something many of us feel guilty about when there are so many things to get done in our day to day lives. However it’s not just a treat, it’s absolutely essential to good health. Here are some of the ways you can relax and reduce stress during difficult times.
Practice Hygge at Home
Hygge is a Danish word which relates to feelings of comfort and coziness. It’s about living in the moment, acknowledging it as special. This practice can help us to ground ourselves as we’re no longer living (and stressing about) in the past or the future.
You can practice Hygge at home by doing activities that make you feel happy, comfortable and cozy. Run a hot bath and clear your mind while you soak. Apply face and hair masks and when you get out, slather your skin in a rich moisturizer. Make a cup of tea or hot chocolate and enjoy it in silence, savoring every tip.
Buy an adult coloring book and color in a picture, lots of therapists recommend these as they’re relaxing and can help you to unwind. You could meditate or ask a partner to give you a massage. These might not seem like significant things, but after a stressful day, they help you to unwind and get those all-important happy hormones released from your brain.
Go on Vacation
If things are really rough, a break away from it all might be just what the doctor ordered. A week or two spent lying on a beach, swimming in the sea and topping up your tan can do wonders for your mental health. If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues then how about something like an iboga spiritual retreat? These are healing centers which can help you to work through your issues and restore the balance in life in a beautiful location.
Go to a Spa
Whether you go alone or with a friend or partner, a spa is a fantastic way to spend the day when you’re feeling a little frazzled. Pampering treatments from mud baths to massages to manis and pedis help you to look and feel your best. You can relax in the jacuzzi and steam room, have a swim in the pool and enjoy a light lunch. You’re bound to come home at the end of the day feeling so much better, it’s a nice treat that doesn’t involve vices like drinking alcohol or binge eating food to cheer you up!
Bring Balance Back to Your Life with Self-Care
You can bring balance back to your life by indulging in some self-care. This looks different for everyone. Do something that you really enjoy or do nothing at all and relax in bed with a good book. Getting back to a high energy place is so important for all of us.
What do you do to bring balance back to your life? If you’re in need of some self-care ideas, check out this post and then get my FREE Self-Care for women ebook here!