Puh-wooooosh! That’s the sound of us all deflating after the holiday hustle. Do you feel it?

You’ve spent weeks rushing around and making sure you’ve gotten everything done for your friends and family, but there’s one gift left that you need to give yourself this season: the gift of a peaceful mind. If you could take just one day, or just part of one day, to relax your mind and body, you’ll be sure to close out this year on a good note. Here are some of my favorite ways to relax and recharge my peaceful mind batteries!

Tips to RELAX

Get Moving

Exercise is a fabulous stress and tension reliever. A nice walk outside is a great way to restore some peace of mind. If it’s too cold where you are, some yoga or simple heart rate boosting jumping jacks and pushups will do the trick. The exercise will increase your endorphins, which are known stress-reducers, and increasing blood flow helps you feel better, too.

Listen to Calming Music

Science backs me on this one. Scientists have found that music stimulates more parts of the brain than any other human function. Plus, my own empirical data proves certain music is just the thing to soothe the savage beast inside. Choose soothing sounds, not jarring combinations of notes, and just let it work its magic!

Conscious Breathing

I know that deep breathing can reduce stress and promote relaxation, calm and inner peace. By paying attention to your breath, you will rapidly change your state of consciousness, begin to relax, and slowly detach from ordinary awareness. Try this breathing exercise and see for yourself!

Take a Warm Bath

Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of a nice, warm bath. Once you glide into the water and your muscles voluntarily relax, your tension floats away. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil will melt your cares away even further. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a few moments of quiet alone time?

Essential Oils for Stress

Essential oils can be perfect for helping take the edge off your stress. Some of the best essential oils for this purpose are:
• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Chamomile
• Patchouli
• Wild Orange
(Find these 100% pure essential oils here.)
Some essential oils can be applied to the skin, but almost all can be used in essential oil diffusers.

Your Assignment

Some of us need permission to carve out some me-time. Well, here it is, Beautiful! Your decompress, relaxation plan for the post holiday hoopla. Go for a walk or get some sort of exercise to get your blood moving. Take a nice, warm soak in the tub with a few drops of lavender essential oil, as you are listening to your favorite relaxing music. While you are enjoying the soak, do some deep breathing exercises and feel the tension melt away.

When you are all finished, curl up on the couch with someone special and cuddle to your heart’s content! Being close to your loved one helps release oxytocin, and that helps reduce stress. Be sure to diffuse some relaxing essential oils while cuddling for added benefit.

If you follow my advice, the last few days of the year will feel much richer and clear your head to start setting intentions to make your new year FABULOUS!

Enjoy!