Get lost in a book, a cup of tea or a silly joke
Clean up!
My favourite five-minute de-stresser is to clean, tidy and/or reorganize one shelf or drawer in my living space. The sense of accomplishment and control spills over into my overly-committed life and lowers my stress.
Kathleen Patchell
Tea time
I boil some water and make a calming chamomile tea to drink. I also put some aside in a little teacup and wait for it to cool down but when it's still warm, I dip two cotton pads in the tea, squeeze out excess tea and put the pads over my eyes. Then I sit in my big comfy chair in my bedroom and sip away at my tea with the pads on my eyes to relax my eyes
Sometimes I stay in there longer than five minutes -- it all depends if my kids don't come looking for me!
Other de-stressors: Go for a quick brisk walk or simply tell your husband to mind the kids and go out to the store by yourself or go straight to bed to sleep.
Claudia Albano
Richmond Hill, ON
Sit. Read. Relax
There are many things I do to de-stress, however, my favourite thing involves many senses: Taking a few minutes to have a cup of tea, sitting with a magazine and a blanket over my legs, reading a few articles before I have to get up and do... something... there's always something.
Leslie McCullough
Pickering, ON
Crack a joke
I have a book of jokes that I carry with me as a means of de-stressing. They help to divert my focus and never fail in making me laugh out loud! By the time I am finished reading them, I feel more relaxed, genuinely happier and ready to tackle any problem.
Suzi Hushen
Chocolate relief
My favourite five-minute de-stressor is to take a small piece of dark chocolate and place it in my mouth and just let it melt while I lay on my bed alone with the door closed. I usually place a lavender eye pillow on my eyes while I lay there, practising relaxation exercises like deep breathing.
When the five minutes are up, I feel a whole lot better!
Jeannine Miranda
Click to continue for more advice from Homemakers readers on how to chill out...
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