Tips to Keep You Feeling Zen On the Go

Finding time to relax when you are running from one to-do to another can be tough. While a yoga class or massage are sure to help you find a moment of Zen, fitting these breaks into your schedule isn’t always possible. If you live an “on-the-go” lifestyle there are many ways you can relax your mind and body, no matter where you are.  

5 Minute Meditations

Meditate
Find a quiet place in your office, home or wherever you find yourself and meditate. Doing this for five minutes once or twice a day can drastically improve stress levels. Enjoying your meditation outside is even better!

Close Your Eyes and Breathe
Meditation doesn’t necessarily mean you need to light some incense, cross your legs and anoint your pulse points with essential oils (though that’s not a bad idea). All you need to do is take a few minutes to sit, stand, or close your eyes and breathe. Try to focus on full, deep breaths that permeate your entire body, filling your lungs, muscles, and limbs with oxygen. When breathing out, visualize releasing your stress and anxiety. This is a quick and easy exercise you can do almost anywhere.

Counting backwards is another method to give a try. Take a few moments to count backwards from 10 to one. Take deep breaths while you count. If you’re extra stressed or anxious, count backwards from 20 or even 100.

Progressive Relaxation
This is another on-the-go relaxation technique that only takes five minutes. Squeeze, relax and repeat. Going through this process, focusing on muscles located in one body part at a time, helps to soothe anxieties. Careful though - it’s also a great way to fall asleep.

Creative Visualization
Your imagination is one of the most powerful instruments in your toolbox that often gets overlooked. Imagining your favorite place, an ideal vacation, or a fun activity creates little bursts of endorphins which help to make you happy during stressful days.

Nutrition

Drink Tea
Hot tea can be soothing for both your mind and body. Green tea contains theanine, which helps relieve anger and can stimulate mental activity. Teas are also full of antioxidants, which aid in disease prevention and support various systems in our body, such as your immune and integumentary systems. Try taking some soothing sips of hot tea while you do your work. 

Eat a Spoonful of Honey
Ah, honey – one of the most versatile foods. Honey is known to be an antibiotic, natural sweetener and skin moisturizer, but it can also be used to fight depression, stress and anxiety. Honey contains composites that reduce brain inflammation, so eating just a spoonful can relieve a lot of pressure in your head.

Get Moving

Rub Your Feet Over a Golf Ball
This is so easy and the cheapest foot massage you’ll ever get! Keep a golf ball at work and roll your feet over it under your desk. This is a very discrete and effective way of relieving tension in your feet, which are one of the most common places we store tension. We do put a lot of weight on them all day!

Stress Balls
Believe in the stress ball. You know those “useless” little squishy balls you get from companies and brands that you throw in your junk drawer? It’s time to bring them out and put them to use. In times of intense anger, just squeeze the stress ball as hard as you can.

Stretch
Go find a conference room, and do some toe touches or use your desk or a door frame to help relieve tightness in the neck and shoulders. Standing and stretching helps relieve tension in your muscles and promotes relaxation in the entire body.

Aromatherapy

Scents can help regulate the part of your brain that controls emotions. Essential oils contain properties that help to connect your mind with your body. Source Vitál Apothecary offers Aromatherapy On-The-Go products that are perfect to keep at your desk or in your work bag or purse. They provide instant relief for feelings of stress and anxiety anytime you need it. All you have to do take a few sniffs of the inhaler or rub oils on your pulse points.

 It can also be beneficial to invest in skin and body care products that have soothing aromas, such as vanilla, orange/mandarin, lavender or chamomile.  Just be sure to opt for products that are scented with natural ingredients, like essential oils, instead of synthetic fragrances, which can cause irritations.

 Working these techniques into your day can be relatively easy. Before you know it, you’ll form a daily relaxation routine that will promote a less stressful lifestyle for you, your family and possibly even your co-workers.