Stress, whether we welcome it or not, is an inescapable part of our lives. It has the power to turn our day up or down and can impact our emotional and physical health. Ahead, explore 10 strategies to help handle stress even on the busiest of days and turn every day into a more positive one. 

1. Embrace a slow wake-up

Getting out of bed can be difficult, especially with the strong temptation that is the snooze button. Instead of snoozing past the alarm and frantically waking up later than you planned, try waking up gradually. Plan to give yourself a few extra minutes to collect your thoughts and focus on the day ahead of you without the intrusive repetitive blaring of your alarm. Easing the stress of waking up is an easy way to set a positive tone for the rest of the day. These peaceful moments don’t need to last long, but they can make all the difference in finding your calm before your day starts. 

2. Listen to your favorite podcast or e-book

In this digital age, there’s no shortage of podcasts to explore. Whether you’re into self-care and wellness podcasts or a podcast covering the latest popular TV shows, listening to podcasts can help de-stress and provide a productive and positive distraction from daily stressors. Listen to your favorite podcast as background while you’re doing mindless tasks like folding laundry or doing the dishes. Sitting down to read a book is about as relaxing as it can get, but if you’re on the go, consider finding some e-books that you can listen to while you have some spare time. Listen to a chapter on your commute or while on a quick walk.

3. Add a stress support supplement to your wellness routine*

Life is stressful. Consider incorporating supplements into your routine for an extra layer of support in helping to manage daily stress.* 

Stress support supplements to add to your wellness routine*: 

• CalmAid®: Made with Silexan™, a clinically studied lavender oil that helps to reduce feelings of stress, tension, and occasional anxiety.* Take CalmAid once or twice daily for stress management.* 
• Quick Calm Gummies: Find your calm with fast-acting L-theanine—it works within 30-60 minutes to promote relaxation when you need it most.* We also offer on-the-go packs for stress support anytime, anywhere.* 
• Ashwagandha Premium Extract: Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help reduce stress and support your body’s ability to adapt to daily stressors.* 

4. Get your steps in 

Walking is a simple yet effective way to help reduce the stress of everyday life. Walking has been shown to benefit mood by releasing endorphins. If you’re feeling particularly stressed, take a 20-minute walk around the neighborhood. An alternative option is to consider investing in a walking pad that can go under your desk so you can get your steps in while you work.

5. Create a vision board 

Sometimes we get stressed out when we imagine the future, the goals we want to meet, and who we want to become. It can be overwhelming, which is where a vision board comes in. With it, you can visualize all of the things that make you happy, any goals you want to accomplish this year, and more. It’s really up to you whether you want to include home design, fashion, work, or travel goals. That’s what makes it so fun! You can make a digital visual board on Pinterest or if you’re feeling crafty, try making a collage from magazines and hang it in your home for inspiration.

6. Make your bed 

As simple as it sounds, making your bed in the morning can have a profoundly positive effect on the rest of your day. Starting your day with this small accomplishment can reduce stress, due to the sense of order it brings to your morning routine and the serene, mindful environment it fosters in your room. 

7. Take a break!

Whether you’re working, cleaning, organizing, etc. it’s important to remember to take a break. Especially if you work at a desk job, it’s vital to move your body every hour for at least one minute or more. This is important in preventing negative effects on your posture, muscles, and productivity over time. If you’re cleaning or organizing your home in an attempt to declutter, take a break and eat or drink something if you’ve been at it for a while. Grab a cup of coffee or water or go on a short walk so you can clear your head and reduce any stress that you might be experiencing. 

8. Perfect your bedtime routine

A bedtime routine can have more of an effect on our minds and bodies than you think. It’s recommended to get around 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, and getting enough sleep provides a multitude of benefits for us. Proper sleep can help reduce stress and restore your body’s balance.

Tips to elevate your bedtime routine so you can get your 7-9 hours in:

• Set a bedtime and stick to it
• Put away your screens 
• Do a skincare routine or take a warm bath or shower 
• Try a sleep support supplement* 
• Drink a cup of soothing (non-caffeinated) tea 
• Read a chapter of a book 
• Get into some cozy pajamas

9. Spend time in nature

Weather permitting, spending time outside with nature can be one of the best things you can do for your mind. Nature can hold many benefits for us, including managing cumulative stress and emotions like loneliness. It’s also associated with better cognitive function, including memory and attention. Whether that’s taking a quick nature walk to your local park or visiting a nearby lake or pond, try to find easy ways to spend time outside throughout your week. 

10. Journal your thoughts 

Our brains can be an overwhelming space, and keeping all our thoughts inside can become a source of stress. Try journaling your thoughts instead of holding everything in. Journaling and expressive writing can be therapeutic and help you process everyday stressful situations or thoughts. An easy way to make journaling part of your routine is to dedicate 15 minutes either right away in the morning or when you are going to bed.