This topic is perfect because I've recently had quite a bit of stress in my life and though I've never been perfect at handling it, it is manageable. Here are my top five ways to handle stress.
1.) Breathe. It sounds stupid, but honestly if you just allow yourself to do some deep breathing, it allows more oxygen to get to your brain so you can think clearly and your muscles will relax which will relieve some of the tension you're feeling.
2.) Take a bubble bath. Seriously, there is nothing better, because I don't know who can't be happy when they're surrounded by bubbles. There are so many ways to enhance the experience as well, like I love to light candles (because certain aromas like lavender are shown to relieve stress), have a glass of wine and listen to some of my favorite music. Just close your eyes and let the outside world slip away for a moment.
3.) Do a face mask. Sheet masks are a god send and one of my favorite things. It deep cleans your pores and help you feel rejuvenated. You can even buy stress relief masks. There are so many to choose from and if you're feeling really stressed, you can even wear it into the bath and do breathing exercises all at once.
4.) Drink tea. I love teas of all kind so much that I typically make a trip to Chinatown just to stock up on them. Drinking black tea is supposed to lead to greater feelings of relaxation, but I drink a lot of green tea and oolong.
5.) Last, but not least. Kiss someone! Kissing releases chemicals associated with stress. If you have a good relationship, it will reduce your stress and anxiety.
I definitely hope these help someone out there.(:
Thanks for another great topic, @rambo and @missy.
