We all suffer from it to varying degrees. Even for someone who is otherwise completely healthy, stress can be utterly crippling. Whether you’re dealing with stress at work or in the home, there are ways to manage it and keep it from dominating your thoughts and actions.
If you’re struggling with stress and looking for a way to decompress, try out one of these relaxing beauty routines. Not only will this give you a little “me” time, but the processes themselves have soothing elements that can offer you a release from your day.
1. Bath Salt Soaks
Everyone knows a hot bath is a fantastic way to unwind, as the water helps relax your muscles and the heat rids your body of toxins. You can amp up your bath’s de-stressing properties even further by adding some bath salts. Find somelavender-scented salts to mix in with your bath, and the lavender will help calm your senses as the salts renew your skin and ease tense muscles.
2. Beauty Masks
Sometimes something as seemingly innocuous as anxiety can take a huge toll on your skin. Stress can cause breakouts and other issues, so keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is a must when you’re experiencing tension. Try a hydration cream mask to deeply moisturize your skin. Not only will this help prevent skin problems, but even just the act of taking 5 or 10 minutes out of your day to care for yourself helps relieve some of the stress in your life.
3. Pedicures
Feeling good about yourself is one of the best anti-stressors. If you’re confident and ready to take on the world, stress can’t get a foothold in your life. So why not start with what gets the most wear and tear? Your feet take a heavy load when you’re busy and working all day, so treat them to a pedicure . This helps keep them moisturized and beautiful, not to mention the foot massage can relax those worn-out toes.
4. Heated Mud Soak
Dead Sea mud is mineral-rich and full of health benefits for your skin, and when it’s heated and applied to your body, it helps relieve muscle aches as it nourishes your complexion. Take some time at the end of a long day for a mud treatment — you can do it in the privacy of your own home, and allow the hot mud to soak into your skin as you close your eyes and relax your mind. After you’ve soaked your entire body, you’ll feel completely renewed both inside and out.
5. Aromatherapy
Scents are tied very closely to your brain: Undoubtedly you’ve had the experience of a smell evoking an old memory that you didn’t even know was there.Aromatherapy harnesses the power of scents to help relax your mind and relieve stress. Scented body oils are perfect for giving your body a mist of long-lasting relaxation, as smells like cedarwood clear your mind and help calm anxieties.
6. Mini-Massages
If you’re feeling overwhelmed during the day, a quick massage may be all you need to get you back on your feet. Grab some mineral body oil and gently massage your earlobes and neck. This helps release endorphins that uplift, relax and give you a jump-start to help you get through your day.
These six routines are just the start to your personal relaxation… the options are endless when it comes to beauty therapy, and you should focus on what makes you happy the most. When you take a little time to pamper yourself, it’s amazing how many benefits arise from it.