Daily life can be stressful. Stress can come from anywhere- from relationships, to health, finances… the list goes on.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed and anxious with all the stress around us, it’s important that we take time to nurture our minds and practice daily self care.

Today we are going to look at some simple daily habits that you can incorporate into your life to help keep you grounded and feeling well. Pick at least 1-2 to start today!

6 Simple Daily Habits for a Stress-Free Life

Make Time for Yourself Each Day

If your life feels busy, or full of obligations, it's essential to make time for yourself each day to do something that brings you joy—reading a book, going for a walk, or journaling. This will help clear your mind of negative thoughts and give you much-needed "me time" to focus on yourself instead of worrying about other people or obligations. You’ve likely heard the saying you can’t pour from an empty cup, so remember to prioritize yourself so that you have energy to also take care of others and your responsibilities.

Talk About Your Feelings

Talking about your feelings is essential for mental well-being because it allows us to express ourselves safely without judgment from others. It also helps us identify areas where we may need more support or assistance and recognize patterns of thought that are holding us back from achieving our goals. Talking about our feelings also allows us to receive encouragement from others who can offer wisdom and understanding from their own experiences. Whether this is a trusted friend, family member or professional, make sure you have someone to talk to about your feelings.

Unplug From Technology

If you stay connected to work, family and friends through your phone, then unplugging for a bit might not feel easy to do. But it is important that we take some time to unplug once in a while.. Technology can be both a blessing and a curse; while it makes life easier in many ways, it can also add extra stress to our lives if we're constantly connected throughout the day. Take time each day away from technology—turn off your phone for an hour or two or spend an evening unplugged from all screens—so your mind can unwind without distraction.

When was the last time you unplugged - and played a board game, or went for a walk in nature with no phone dinging with notifications? Try and set aside some time today!

Get Enough Sleep

I could have put sleep at the top tip, because I honestly feel like it’s one of the most important things we do for our health. Getting enough sleep is essential for both physical and mental health because it helps restore balance in the body's systems and allows us to manage stress levels throughout the day better. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night so you can wake up feeling refreshed and energized instead of being fatigued or overwhelmed by life's demands and expectations.

Exercise Regularly

When was the last time you got a workout in? Exercise has been scientifically proven to improve mood, reduce stress levels, enhance concentration skills, increase confidence levels, and boost overall mental well-being—making it one of the most beneficial daily activities we can do for ourselves. Try adding 30 minutes of moderate physical activity into your daily routine, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or any other activity that increases your heart rate while allowing you to enjoy yourself simultaneously.

Take Deep Breaths Throughout the Day

Incorporating deep breathing is a great way to manage stress, and can help promote relaxation. You can start with a really easy exercise: take a moment after each breath, try focusing on something simple, like counting the number of breaths you take or concentrating on how your body moves with each exhale and inhale.

5 Breathing Exercises

But we can also go much deeper into breathing exercises. If you're struggling to find calm in your average day, here are five powerful breathing techniques that can bring instant relaxation. Pick one and give it a try and see how you feel after!

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Let's begin with the basics. Diaphragmatic breathing is the foundation of a calm mind and a relaxed body.

Find a comfortable seat or lie down, placing one hand on your belly and the other on your chest.
Inhale slowly through your nose, feeling your stomach push against your hand. The hand on your chest should remain relatively still.
Exhale through pursed lips like whistling, engaging your stomach muscles to push the air out.
Repeat this cycle for 3-5 minutes, focusing on the rise and fall of your belly.

2. 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Known as a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system, the 4-7-8 technique is remarkably simple to practice:

Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
Hold your breath for a count of seven.
Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
This one-breath cycle is repeated three more times for four breaths.

3. Alternate Nostril Breathing

A staple in yoga practice, this technique can bring about immense calm and balance:

Sit comfortably with your spine straight and your left hand on your knee.
Place your right thumb over your right nostril and inhale deeply through your left nostril.
At the peak of inhalation, close off the left nostril with your ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril.
Continue this pattern, alternating nostrils after each inhalation.

4. Box Breathing

When you feel overwhelmed by tension, box breathing can provide the relief and calm you're seeking:

Inhale to a count of four.
Hold your lungs full for a four-count hold.
Exhale to the same slow count of four.
Finish with an empty lung for a four-count hold.
Repeat the process for four minutes.

5. Guided Visualization Breathing

Combine breathwork with the power of mental imagery for a double dose of calm:

Find a quiet spot to sit or lie down. Close your eyes.
Take deep, slow breaths and visualize a serene place, like a beach or a garden.
As you inhale, imagine a wave of peace washing over you. With each exhale, envision stress leaving your body.
Continue for several minutes, allowing your breath to deepen your sense of peace.

Incorporating these breathing techniques into your daily routine can offer a quick and effective way to manage stress and anchor you in the present moment.

Remember, mastering these techniques requires practice and patience, like any other skill. Feel free to experiment with these techniques to find the one that resonates best with you.

And be gentle with yourself, building healthier habits can take time. Focus on adding some small changes each day- start slow but be consistent with these habits so that they become second nature before long.

Be sure to leave a comment below and tell me which one you are going to include today!

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