This post was submitted by Sophia Smith, beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. .

At this moment most of the world is on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, so people find themselves stuck indoors and not a day goes by that we’re not plagued with some sort of a challenge.  Stress is woven deeply into the fabric of our lives, and as such, it deserves our attention. To be more specific, it deserves to be tackled like the unwanted pest that it is. However, not all methods work well with everyone, so while some people love and enjoy the treadmill or the bath, others need more substantial strategies.

In fact, you can reshape your own home environment, change some of your daily habits, and your decisions in order to see improvements in your stress levels, and hopefully become significantly more resilient to it. To help you cope, reduce stress, and feel better during self-isolation, here are a few effective strategies to add to your de-stressing wellness agenda!

1. TRANSFORM YOUR SHOWER ROUTINE

If you rush through your evening and morning showers, this might be a good moment to treat this simple habit as a form of restorative self-care by adding some relaxing music in the background, changing your shower gel to get something with a calming fragrance, and picking out a perfect bathrobe to immerse yourself into warmth immediately after your shower. 

Choose skincare and hair styling products with great care – they can swathe you in a soothing scent for hours after your shower is done. Pick out items such as natural hair wax with the warm aroma of almond oil and shea butter that nourish and give you the look you desire. A little can really go a long way in dealing with stress when you find different ways to enjoy even the simplest self-care and beauty activities you do every day.

2. TRY AROMATHERAPY

Do you find the scent of cinnamon delightfully warm and cozy, reminding you of a soothing winter evening by the fireplace? How about the energizing citrusy smells like lemon or orange? The art of aromatherapy can help you reduce stress when used correctly, so you can add a few scented candles into your home, or use essential oils for relaxing massages with your significant other. 

3. TURN YOUR BEDROOM INTO AN OASIS

Sleep is essential for your wellbeing, and restful hours you spend in your bedroom with your partner, binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix, or simply reading a book before bed – all of these activities change the way you feel. To add even more serenity into your bedroom, you should consider the types of mattresses that would be most optimal for providing you with ample support and ensure comfortable sleep. The simple fact you’ll wake up sans the neck pain will be more than enough to kick-start your day right.

Add to that, introducing greenery into your room will purify your air and instill a sense of calm because you’ve surrounded yourself with elements of nature. While you’re at it, natural fabrics such as cotton for your bedding are the best option for your skin, to reduce irritation, and remove another source of stress.

4. LOOK AT YOUR MENU

Food is so much more than a source of nutrients for your body – it’s also a perfect way to banish stress, keep your happy hormones up, and your energy balanced. With that in mind, if you’re used to fast food, candy, and unhealthy snacks, this is a good time to start making some menu changes and introduce antioxidant-packed foods, plenty of fiber, lean protein sources, and healthy snacks such as nuts and seeds which are both nutritious and satiating.

6. BOOK SOME QUALITY TIME WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE

Getting in touch with our loved ones via Facebook and other apps can be helpful in times of stress, but you should consider devoting some time to seeing your friends and family in person. Ditch your phone for those occasions and take the time to talk to them, reconnect, and let go of your troubles. Socialization is one of the most wonderful things you can do to add substance and meaning to your life.

7. REFINE YOUR RANGE OF ACTIVITES

Yes, exercise is often the perfect solution to handling and reducing stress, but you might find yourself bored with the same old routine. Why not change things up enough to spark your interest, and do something that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about? You can try learning a new dance, pick up martial arts, or start hiking in nature – which will be an ideal blend of serenity and exercise for reducing stress.

Although stress won’t go away in its entirety, you can definitely change a few habits and plan ahead so that you can prevent excessive exposure to stress and add a few mindful, relaxing rituals to grow more resilient in time. Try out a few of these and share your own tips, you never know when someone will find your particular advice helpful!

SOPHIA SMITH

Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, Viva Glam Magazine, How to Simplify and Carousel. You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook & Twitter.