9 Ways To Reduce Stress + Boost Energy

Today I’m sharing 9 simple ways to reduce stress and boost your energy. If you’re frequently experiencing heightened levels of stress (or maybe your typical state of being is one within that higher stress threshold), you’re not alone. And, you’re in the right place! 

We’re living in a world that values hard work and “hustle”. Talk of resting, taking a break, doing things simply for the sake of adding more joy or peace into your day are met with eye rolls. Even the most well-intentioned person planning on taking a break from the chaos often finds themselves “pushing through”.

Maybe you think that you need a 14 day vacation in order to fully relax – that’s what we all really want, isn’t it? But you and I both know that sometimes that just isn’t an option. What you can do though is start incorporating small acts of self-care regularly throughout your day (I call this micro-dosing your self care) that are helpful ways to reduce stress and give you a little boost of energy.

1. Walk barefoot on the ground

That’s right, peel those socks off, wiggle those toes and plant your feet solidly on the ground. Whether you’re feeling sand, grass, dirt or mud beneath your feet, walking barefoot on the ground creates physiological changes in the body. It stimulates the nervous system and can ease tension, reduce stress and aid in a calmer mind.

2. Box breathing for one minute or more

The beauty of your breath is that it’s always with you, a natural reflexive functioning of the body that can be incredibly powerful in easing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm. Box breathing is simple: inhale for 4 – 6 seconds, hold for 4-6 seconds, exhale for 4-6 seconds, hold for 4-6 seconds, repeat as often as needed.

3. Dance or shake it out

Stress lives in the body and one way to release stress is to activate the body and, literally, dance or shake it out. Seriously, give it a try! Put on your favourite music and start gently putting a bounce in your knees. As you bounce, start to replicate that movement throughout your entire body. Experiment with different variations of shaking movement: maybe you want to do full body shakes or shake out specific parts of your body like your hands, your arms, etc. It might feel silly but keep going, focusing on your body so that you get out of your head. Go with whatever feels right for you and shake it out for a solid 10-15 minutes or even longer.

4. Count out 3 things you’re grateful for

Whether you write this down or count them out on your fingers, come up with 3 things that you’re grateful for today (or from within the last 24 hours). There’s tons of benefits of practicing intentional gratitude, one of them being that it can support in reducing feelings of anxiety, depression and aggression (all things which heighten the stress response).

5. Call someone you love

Did you know that simply chatting with a loved one – whether that’s a close friend of a family member, can create feelings of comfort? When we talk to or hang out with people that we love, it reduces the stress in our bodies by decreasing the cortisol (aka the stress hormone).

6. Paint, draw or write

There’s something so peaceful about engaging in something creative. It doesn’t really matter what type of creative activity this is – it could be painting, drawing, writing, crafting, knitting, etc. When we’re engaging in these types of activities, we tend to become more focused on the task, less worried about our stressors, and experience a greater sense of relaxation.

7. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Fancy term, simple activity. All you have to do is tense and release your muscles. Start by clenching your toes tightly for 4-10 seconds, inhaling as you do. As you exhale, release your muscles. Move up to the next muscle group, following the same pattern until you’re squeezing your eyes shut tightly and releasing that tension. Once you’ve moved through each individual muscle group, do a full body tightening and release.

8. Watch a funny movie

It’s not often that I recommend watching TV but when you’re feeling stressed, anxious or just low, a funny movie or some stand-up can be an entertaining and easy way to boost your mood. Laughter can help boost your immune system, physically relaxes the body and is a fun way to reduce stress.

9. Soak in a warm bath

That’s right, the tried and true face of self-care itself: a warm bath. Make this as luxurious as you like: bubbles, bath bombs, candles, dark chocolate, maybe slap on a face mask while you’re at it. Heck, read a book or watch a funny movie while you’re in the bath. A bath is a popular tool to decrease stress and promote relaxation.

Often times, the smallest acts of self-care can offer the most support. If you’re always tight on time, try any one of these 9 simple activities to feel less stressed. And remember: the more you incorporate small moments of self-care into your day, the less stress you will experience in the long run.

Which will you choose today?