Hey there!

I am happy to be coming back to talk to you guys smack dab in the middle of this super busy week! Aside from my stressful 9-5 (which should be called a 9-9), I have been super busy researching new ideas and opportunities for my brand! And as exciting as all that sounds, it does come with a lack of sleep and information overload on an almost daily basis. Thank goodness for my planner and notes app on my phone to keep all my new knowledge and random ideas documented. My memory has been referred to as that of an 80 year old sooooo yea, documenting everything is very important for me.

Any who, with all of that being said, I know  a lot of you are also pretty busy yourself! Thanksgiving is a week away from the day I publish this post (which I am writing on my lunch break, yikes!) and the rest of the holidays soon follow. I am not sure what you guys have going on for the holidays, but my large Jamaican family is BIG on getting together this time of year and cooking just about every American and Jamaican delicacy you can think of! Oh and for my fellow West Indians, you know that even if the holiday celebration is not being held at your house you still have to clean the place to a T before the holiday catches you. So between the deep cleaning, grocery shopping, local charity shopping, etc. we all have a busy couple of weeks ahead.  And did I mention that CoCo’s birthday is in the mix as well? *cues confetti* Oh and let us not even get into the gift shopping season aka madness. But I digress….

Where I was going with this is: WE ARE BUSY especially during the holiday season. So now more than ever we have to make time for self-care and relaxation! Finding ways to de-stress and focus on us is imperative to our health and overall well-being. In this post I will list a few ways I like to (or would like to) de-stress during high-stress times. And ultimately, I would like to do at least one of these techniques daily to just regain control of my thoughts and day. But hey, if I can get it to one or 2 techniques per week that would be great too!

 

Shop this fall look:

Jeans: Asos- Shop my exact Stirrup denim here- only $22!
Turtleneck: Zara (old)- see alternatives below

Fedora: H&M (in stores but not online)- see alternatives below

Moto Jacket: Forever21 (old)

 

 

So without further ado, here are my…

Favorite 5 Simple and Effective Ways to De-stress in just 1 Hour

 

Take a scenic walk and/or run

One of my favorite things to do during the fall is take a stroll through one of Long Island’s many parks and preserves. The ideal time to go is in the morning when not as many people are there and before the sun gets too hot if it is the summer months. In the fall I could stroll for HOURS and look at all that fall has to offer like the multi colored trees, squirrels feverishly hiding their nuts, swans and ducks bathing, and raccoons running from angry geese moms. Trust me, it is very entertaining. Your stroll will boost your endorphins, which will in turn reduce your levels of stress hormones.

If running is more your speed, then talk a run down a park’s path and walk back to see all the sights that you may have missed while running. Shoot, biking works too.

 

One tip would be to turn your cell phone off or put it on do not disturb mode so that you would not be tempted to check it. Just use this time to connect with yourself and nature. Think about goals you have floating in your head, what you are going to cook for dinner, what song to play next on your iPod, or anything really. JUST DON’T CHECK texts, emails, notifications or phone calls. Make this a calm and self-centered activity. Check out THIS LINK to find your nearest state parks, if you are in the U.S.

 

Sauna Session

If you are a member of a gym with a sauna, take full advantage of it. Go in for a super early steam before the gym gets packed. I mean get there right before the doors open and walk in with the staff early. Really. Sit there for the recommended duration (depending on your age, health, etc.) and get lost in deep thought. Leave your phone in your locker and don’t forget to bring your towel to sit on (the germophobe inside of me begs you!).

If you are not a member to a gym with a sauna, make your own at home! Turn on your hot shower, close the door and let it get steamy. Then sit on a stool or on the toilet seat cover (just don’t break it! I may or may not be guilty of this…) and relax. Bring in a magazine if you like but you may have to hold it close to your face to see the words. And remember, no kids, pets or significant other allowed! Its all YOU TIME.

Take your at-home sauna session up a notch and add some aromatherapy! Use aromatherapy oils or incense (if the moisture in the air allows).

 

Yoga anyone?

I do not have to get too into why yoga and breathing exercises are great for relaxation. Mainly because we all know about yoga and all have read articles from people who know way more about it than me! So search that good ol’ Groupon app for a class or head to a session in the neighborhood and get your yoga on. If you do not want to spend money or time with other people, there is a solution my friends. Have a YouTube yogi guide your yoga! If you are a first-timer, it would be beneficial to go into an actual class so that your instructor can make sure you are hitting the poses correctly and not injuring yourself. But after that, I think a YouTube yoga session for beginners should be fine. Your deep breaths during the breathing exercises will increase your oxygen intake, which will reduce tension and stress. When you are taking short, shallow breaths, you simulate stress and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, whereas your slow, deep breaths will have an opposite reaction. You will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous which will in turn calm you down. Oh and stretching during yoga will be great as well!

 

Do your skincare routine, slowly

Massages are GREAT for relaxation and release of muscle tension but who says it always has to be on a table bed contraption performed by someone else. Use your own hands and massage your favorite lotions and oils into your skin, very slowly. The stimulation from the massaging will increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It provides relaxation, improved circulation, is known to decrease risks of some diseases and feels darn good? We should be massaging in our skin care all the time!

Let’s not forget our face! Massage in your favorite oil cleansers, moisturizers, and balms. Massage in an upward and outward motion to increase blood flow and collagen production to the areas. It will keep you looking youthful longer and help you in your fight with gravity.

 

Nap time is not only for the kids

When was the last time that you took a nap? I know some people that take one almost daily and then there are those like me who take them once in a pink moon. Never underestimate the power and importance of a nap. Sleep benefits your heart health, mental health, bodily rejuvenation, mood and improves performance. I do not recommend napping at work or at other inopportune times BUT if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed and the tasks at hand and you feel like your day is pulling a rug from under your foot, just take a siesta. Trust me, the world with likely not end if you push your tasks off for 35mins. You will wake up refreshed and refocused, I promise. Once you are in your newly calm state, you may be better suited to handle what ever it is that you have ahead. Do not mistake, naps will not make up for inadequate sleep at night, but will improve alertness and performance. 20-30 mins is recommended for the nap, and since these are tips to relax for an hour, use the extra 30 mins to just sit or lay in silence and calmness.

Many of you may already do these 5 tasks every now and again but do not carve out at least an hour of alone time to do it. You are your biggest priority because once your well-being is compromised, it will feel like everything around you is slowly crumbling. Nothing and nobody is too important that you cannot dedicate an hour of self-care to yourself daily (or almost daily depending on your life situations). You cannot care for your family, work or business until you are properly cared. You owe it to yourself.

 

I would love to hear from you! Leave me a comment on your favorite ways to de-stress just in case someone doesn’t like the options listed here. Sharing is caring! And in this case, it literally is. Don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram at @cocowithlove1!

 

Until next time folks!

 

With love,

CoCo