11 Relaxation Tips for the Stressed Out Woman

relaxation tips

Do this, do that; go here, drive there… sound familiar? If you’re feeling pulled in all sorts of directions lately, you’re not alone. Many women are dealing with some sort of stress in their life, whether it’s an upcoming exam or trying to balance a career and motherhood.

In fact, women are more likely than men to report a great deal of stress in their life. Regardless of where your stress is coming from, it’s easy for it to pile up if you aren’t careful.

Thankfully, there are many great relaxation tips you can use when life feels like too much to handle. Check out the following insights to help you manage all the things on your plate.

1. Take a Deep Breath

Taking a deep breath is number one on the list because it’s something you can use anywhere, anytime. It’s a tool you can always pull out of your back pocket when other relaxation techniques aren’t available.

Stuck in bad traffic? Worried about your kid’s upcoming big game? Not sure how you’re going to make rent this month?

Breathe. Take a few deep breathes, even if it’s only for one minute. This calms all the things running through your mind and helps give you a bit of a reset.

2. Start Meditating

If you do have more than a minute to spare, try meditating. Meditation helps you differentiate the things that really matter from all the noise in life.

It can help you notice how silly some of your stressors are, while also empowering you to take on important issues. By the way, you don’t have to meditate for hours on end every day to reap its relaxation benefits.

Make an effort to sit still for a few minutes, then try ten or twenty minutes as your meditation practice progresses. There are many apps to help you get started.

3. Exercise Often

While meditation can clear your mind, a good sweat can do the job just as well. Sometimes, it’s worth walking away from everything that’s stressing you out and going for a run. Or, hit the gym and do some weights, take a spin class, or go for a swim.

Whatever your workout of choice is, do that – and do it often.

4. Start Saying “No”

Here’s another thing you can do a little bit more of: saying “no.” Take a second to think about where your stress is coming from.

If it’s because of a never-ending to-do list or too many responsibilities, you need to learn the concept of “no.” This will keep you from staying up all night working on an extra project or baking cookies for your child’s soccer team for the third game in a row.

It’s not to say you should become negligent of certain things. But, it does mean you don’t always have to be the one to save the day.

5. Choose Your Battles

Don’t be afraid of a little pushback when you start turning more things down. This is going to happen from time to time, but you have to choose your battles.

Similarly, one of the best natural ways to relieve stress is to “choose your battles” with everything stressing you out. Ask yourself how important something truly is before you let it get to you.

If it turns out to be a significant matter, take a step back and reevaluate the situation. Think of all the possible solutions for it, then try to solve it one step at a time.

6. Make Lists

Speaking of taking things one step at a time, try getting in the habit of making lists. Leave a note for yourself as you’re leaving work for all the things you have to do the next day. Make a list of all the chores that need to get done this weekend, too.

Also, write out all the little errands you have to run and the major projects that need handing in the near future. You may feel a little stressed as you do this. But, lists still help you get everything out of your head and right in front of you.

7. Establish a Routine

Lists help you create a schedule for a day at work or a free day on the weekend. To take this relaxation tip one step further, though, try getting into a better routine.

Create a morning ritual for yourself and stick to some sort of nightly routine, too. Establish a little consistency at work each week and try to get the rest of your family into a routine as well.

Over time, this minimizes the possibility of stress in the first place. It helps you anticipate certain things before they happen, or to find opportunities for better things you can do with your time.

8. Go Outside

As you’re creating your routine, make time to go outside.

Stop taking your lunch break inside, start walking to class more, or simply get outside on the weekends whenever you can. Either way, the point is to tune out your worries for a second and appreciate nature. You’ll be surprised how beneficial this can be.

9. Learn to Let Things Go

Sometimes, you just have to let things go. There are some stressful situations you can’t control, and that’s okay!

It’s not the end of the world to be in standstill traffic or to arrive somewhere a few minutes late. Your life isn’t falling apart because your room is messy or there are some dirty dishes in the sink. The less you let the little things get to you, the less you’ll need tips for relieving stress in the first place.

10. Spend Time with People You Love

What can you do when you can’t control something that’s stressing you out? Lift your spirits.

Call your parents or your best friend and have a good heart-to-heart with them. Tell your partner where your mind is at and see if they have any solutions to offer.

Whoever you reach out to, the person will be there to offer the comfort you need. They may not be able to make a situation go away, but they can be there every step of the way with you.

11. Practice More Self-Love

Another person you can count on when things get overwhelming is yourself. As you apply these relaxation tips in your life, be mindful of what works and what doesn’t.

Meditation may be the missing part of your routine that you need to chill out. Or, bullet journaling might be what helps you turn your grades around. It’s possible all you need is a day to yourself, though.

Take time to do more of what you love and take good care of your mind and body. Soak in a bath, treat yourself to a massage, read a good book, or just take a little time every day to be alone. Do this often and watch how your overall level of stress decreases.

Relaxation Tips, Happiness Hints, and More

Take on a few of these relaxation tips at a time in the next few weeks. Keep the ones that work for you and move on from those that don’t make much of a difference.

As the weeks go on, you’re going to notice a shift in not just your stress, but your happiness as a whole. Stress has a way of making us focus on the bad and forget about the good. When you learn to manage it better, so many doors open up.

For other ways to improve your wellbeing and be happier, click here!