Here are more DIY Stress Management Techniques…(continued from Simple Ways to Manage Stress 2)

4. Practice deep breathing
A good instant de-stresser is to stop and breathe in, through your nose for a count of seven and then out through your nose for a count of eleven. Do this several times until you feel calmer.

To enhance this technique further, use aromatherapy and listen to relaxing music.

5. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been proven to be excellent for stress relief. If you’re always feeling stress at work, try to bring aromatherapy into the workplace. Inhaling different essential oils can alter your mood, stimulate creativity, help concentration and rid an area of airborne viruses and bacteria.
Usually, pure essential oils are usually massaged into the skin, but there are other ways to use them:

• Use a diffuser or nebulizer to heat the essential oil. This will allows their molecules to be released into the atmosphere giving you instant benefit.
• Place a few drops on a handkerchief or pillow, or in a bowl of hot water, and breathe in.
• Drizzle a little onto a cotton ball placed on a hot radiator, or buy a vaporising ring to place on a lightbulb.
• A few drops in a hot bath can relax muscles and ease aches, insomnia and arthritis.

Relaxing and calming oils include: bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, frankincense, geranium, juniper, lavender and sandalwood. Certified (by OTCO) 100% pure steam distilled oils can be found at MountainRoseHerbs.com

Caution: Take advice before using essential oils at home if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.

Recommended Readings:

6. Listen to Music

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”
- Author Unknown

Our top picks of beautiful relaxing music can be viewed here. Let music heal your heart and soul ! :)