HEALTH

In the midst of a pandemic, we’re all continuing our daily tasks—going to work, zoom academy, and attending to our other million and one responsibilities. With so much to do, it can be hard to take a step back and chill out. Here's how to pause, reassess and take care of yourself when you've taken on too many responsibilities.

Drink a tea with relaxing properties

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Tea totally has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Mint tea is one of many great options to calm your mind and soothe your body. Chamomille tea, another great pick, is also known for its relaxing properties that will help you unwind after a long day. Rose tea, another great contender, will deff help you chill out. Rose petals have been used for ages in everything from rose water to essential oils and have been shown to have strong relaxing effects. Matcha, an additional stress-relieving tea, contains l-theanine, an amino acid that enables relaxation and stress relief. Lavender tea is also an amazing option.

Binge-watch your favorite show

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Be it following love triangles on Grey's Anatomy, or keeping up with Lorelai and Rory's shenanigans on Gilmore Girls, there's nothing like unwinding with your fave show after a long day. Throw on your cozy pajamas and give your mind a break. Get lost in alternate universes and plots so good they will allow you to forget about your own responsibilities for a moment.

Schedule regular naps

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Napping is proven to help with reducing sleepiness, improving learning, aiding memory formation and regulating emotions. Set an alarm to remind yourself it's time to catch some Zs. Studies show that the best nap length for most people is 10 to 20 minutes. This will get you the best sleep, minus the drowsiness when you wake.

It's best to nap early, as napping late in the day will make it harder to fall asleep during bedtime. A weighted blanket is a perfect addition to take napping to the next level and up your relaxation factor.

Eat your favorite foods and snacks

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Food can help curtail stress in multiple ways. For instance, comfort foods like oatmeal boost your levels of serotonin, a calming brain chemical. Other foods have the ability to reduce stress hormones that have a bad effect on the body over time, such as cortisol and adrenaline.

Share your ultimate fave ways to relax with us—@girlslifemag!

by Franca Akenami | 12/14/2020