Five minutes. True, it's not a heck of a lot of time. But
it's just long enough for you to do one thing -- and maybe that one thing that
will turn your day around.
In our busy 24/7 universe, it often seems like there's not
enough time to do everything you want in a day. But take five and try these 10
simple ways to lower stress and boost your mood and energy levels. They may
just help you find the extra spark you need to meet the challenges of the day.
1. Make your bed. Starting off each day with this small
ritual can help create a calm environment for you in your bedroom. Gretchen
Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, writes that many people benefit from
making this modest step part of their routines. By checking it off your to-do
list first thing, you've got one less thing to worry about for the rest of the
day.
2. Pack a snack. Before you head out the door in the
morning, go into the kitchen and grab a fruit (like a banana, apple or grapes)
or a healthy snack (like unsalted nuts or low-fat cheese). This way, when a
case of the munchies strikes later in the afternoon, you won't be reaching for
a bag of chips or a candy bar from the vending machine out of convenience.
Besides, you know what they say about an apple a day.
3. Clear your desk. You may not be able to overhaul your
closet in five minutes, but you can manage to tidy your desk at work. From
stray papers to scattered coffee mugs, clutter can make you lose focus and curb
productivity. Declutter your outer environment and you may feel lighter on the
inside and more motivated to concentrate on the task at hand.
4. Pump up the music. Several studies have found that
listening to music can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost
mood. The right music has the power to change your attitude. So load up your
MP3 player and create a special playlist that will make you smile -- whether
you're working or working out.
5. Sniff a lemon. For a quick de-stressing trick, turn to an
underrated sense -- your sense of smell. Japanese researchers found that
linalool; a substance found in lemons, has anti-inflammatory properties and may
reduce the flight-or-fight stress response. Other scents like basil, juniper,
and lavender have also been found to lower stress.
6. Stretch. You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from
light stretching. Lift your arms above your head at your desk. Or better yet,
stretch your legs by walking outside. Stretching can help improve your circulation
and flexibility, and may help ease the tight muscles that accompany stress.
7. Meditate. Try meditation and deep breathing to relax and
turn your mind off. You don't need any special equipment to practice
meditation. Find a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor. Meditating
on a daily basis, even just for a few minutes, has been shown to fight
depression and ease stress.
8. Keep a gratitude diary. Take a minute every day to write
downseveral things you're thankful for, whether they're big or small things.
It's easy to vent about weather, traffic, or job woes, but complaining brings
negative energy along with it. Being thankful for what you have can make you
appreciate all the positives in your life.
9. Turn off your electronics. Just becausewe live in a wired
world doesn't mean you need to stay connected every minute of every single day.
Staring at computer screens and electronics all day long can zap your energy
and encourage inactivity. So log off youremail, phones, and Internet (yes,
social networking web sites count, too). This is especially important to allow
you to unwind and relax before bed.
10. Prioritize. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have
multiple tasks crowding your mind. Make a list and finish your most dreaded
duties first to avoid the anxiety caused by procrastination. Make a list and
check off each task as you complete it. At the end of the day, a list of
accomplishments is a great visual reminder of how productive you were.
By Jennifer Soong
