5 Simple Stress-Relieving Tips You Can Do Every Day
Feeling fried, frazzled and like you may not be too far from the edge? Meditation experts Joel Granik and Jackie Litton, cofounders of Floating Lotus in New York, say that beyond taking some deep breaths, there are some really simple ways to center yourself—stat. The best part? You can do them while you are sitting at your desk:
Meditate. Even if you aren’t an expert, you can easily do the practice at your desk by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. “Breathe in slowly, hold it in for five seconds and then exhale as slowly as possible. Repeat until you feel your mind is centered and present.”
You May Also Like: 5 Secret NYC Spa Treatments You Didn't Know About (Until Now!)
Put down the coffee. This might not be that easy for those of us who need the caffeine fix, but the duo says you’ll see a big difference when you start swapping your cup with water with lemon, especially during the midday hours. “This helps hydrate your body while raising its pH level so you won’t feel so sluggish.”
Open the blinds. Artificial light can actually drain your energy. Letting in some natural light helps increase energy and improve attention span.
Go for a float during your lunch hour. This one is admittedly not that logistically easy for everyone, but any type of lunchtime break (even a quick walk outside), can help bring you back to balance. “By letting your body and mind relax and declutter, you’ll go back into work more refreshed and focused. If you’re not near a float center, try taking a restorative yoga class that emphasizes mindfulness.”
Try acupuncture. This one can also help improve concentration, and you don’t necessarily have to visit an acupuncturist. Just massage these points gently.
The third eye point: Located directly between your eyebrows, press this point gently for three to four minutes to help clear your mind.
The sun point: Found in the depression of the temples, place two fingers on your temples and apply slight pressure for two minutes to relieve headache, dizziness and mental stress.
The gate of consciousness: This area hits below the base of your skull. Put both hands on your head, fingers apart, with your thumbs right above your neck about three inches apart. Press gently for two to three minutes to feel more relaxed.
