Needless to say, I think we’re all dealing with high stress levels during this pandemic. With so many of us staying home during this time, I thought I’d share 10 ways I like to de-stress at home when anxiety is running high. Whether it’s a little form of self-care, aromatherapy, or just plain treating yourself, I hope this lists help spark ideas for your own relaxing moments!

1. TAKE A BATH

A nice bath always helps me to relax and unwind. Sprinkle in some bath salts, flower petals, or bubble bath, then turn the lights down, put on some relaxing tunes, and just soak in the goodness. Place your phone in another room on silent, or somewhere out of reach. This is your time, no outside world allowed!

2. LIGHT CANDLES AND INCENSE

I always have candles burning in my house. Whatever room I’m spending time in, I have candles and matches ready to be lit. There’s something so comforting in burning a candle, not to mention the aromatherapy benefits. Incense also brings the ultimate good vibes to a room!

3. LISTEN TO RECORDS

The sound of records always makes me feel cozy and happy. I just love the crackling, old-timey sound! They transport you back to a different era and way of life. If you don’t have a record player, create a playlist of your favorite calming tunes to listen to whenever you need to relax.

4. SKINCARE

I start and end the day with my skincare routine. It’s become an important part of my day, some me-time where I get to pamper and take care of myself. I take my time applying products, especially my oils. I breathe in deeply for all that gorge aromatherapy, and gently press the products into my skin. When I’m done, my face feels glowy and dewy, and I’m always a bit more relaxed.

5. ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oil blends always help when I’m feeling overwhelmed. I especially love Saje’s products - their pocket farmacy is lovely. I apply the oils to different parts of my body that need it - maybe my neck if I’m feeling tension, my feet if there’s any soreness, my stomach if I’m feeling bloated. I love to apply calming oils such as lavender to my palms, rubbing them together and placing them up to my nose, then breathing in deeply.

6. YOGA

I am the ultimate lazy pants, but I’ve been finding real benefits from practicing yoga at home. I used to take yoga classes at different studios around LA, but I’m easily frustrated and ultimately stopped going when I felt like I couldn’t keep up or perform all the poses in classes. However, I recently started using the Down Dog App and it has really changed yoga for me. It’s completely customizable, right down to the music you listen to and the voice of your yoga instructor. I’m able to pick the type of yoga, level, length, and pace of my practice, so I never have to feel frustrated again! I stream the app from my phone onto my TV, so every evening the living room turns into a yoga studio. So peaceful and relaxing, a good workout too! The app is free through the month of April :)

7. READ A BOOK

Taking your mind off the present and getting lost in another world is the ultimate de-stresser. Re-read an old favorite or sit down and start something new. Get cozy with it! Make yourself a cup of tea and grab a snack, then cozy up with a blanket on the couch.

8. MAKE A MEAL

Over the past few months I’ve gotten really into cooking. I love taking the time to put some love into the food I eat. You need to focus on the task at hand when you’re cooking, and a lot of times you’re prepping different components at once. I find it’s a great way to take my mind off of whatever has been stressing me out! I put on music and really get into the zone. If you aren’t big on cooking, try an easy/quick recipe to start. You may be surprised how fun it can be.

9. WATCH AN OLD FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW

We all have those special movies that put an instant smile on our faces, or a show that we’ve binged multiple times over and still crack up every time. Don’t feel bad about rewatching something you’ve seen a million times! If it makes you feel good, lean into it. Think of those films you watched when you were little that you couldn’t get enough of. They can be a big comfort during stressful times.

10. WINE TIME

They say a glass of wine a day is good for the heart, right? Right?! Regardless if that’s true, it’s a fun way for me to de-stress after a hard day. Cheers to that!