Everyday life is full of stressful moments, some of which can take a significant toll on your health and happiness. During times of stress, your body and mind react in ways that can negatively affect your well-being, including increased heart rate, muscle tension, headaches, rapid breathing, and more. Having a go-to set of steps to take in order to minimize the effects of heightened stress can help you navigate your way through these times, helping you to return to a calm, well-balanced state of mind.

5 Steps To Quickly Reduce Stress

1. Take a Deep Breath

While under heightened stress, your respiratory system can respond by causing rapid breathing and shortness of breath, which often exacerbates the feeling of tension and strain, particularly in people with anxiety or who are prone to panic attacks. To interrupt this respiratory response, try one of these breathing exercises:

• Box breathing: Inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, exhale through your nose for a count of four, wait a count of four before your next inhale. Repeat until your breathing returns to its normal pace and depth.
• Diaphragmatic breathing: With one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen, inhale through your nose slowly and steadily, focusing on feeling your abdomen, rather than your chest, expand. Exhale slowly through your mouth, keeping your jaw relaxed. Repeat for several minutes.

2. Practice Mindful Movement

Focusing on your body — instead of the chaotic thoughts in your mind — during stressful times can help you regain your balance, both physically and mentally. Mindful movement such as yoga, a stretching routine, or even a walk in nature can help you regulate your breathing, pay closer attention to your body’s signals, and give you an endorphin boost, which can help alleviate feelings of stress.

Once you’ve finished your activity of choice, settle into the tub and feel your stress melt away with Equilibria’s Mindful Mineral Soak. With Mediterranean and Dead Sea salts and full-spectrum CBD from single-source, hand-harvested hemp flower, this soothing soak helps take your relaxation to the next level.*

Editor’s Note: The Mindful Mineral Soak has been discontinued.

3. Write it Down

Journaling is a tried-and-true way for many people to manage stress. The act of writing down your stressors and your thoughts and feelings around them can help you interrupt a thought cycle that is causing anxiety or worry. Not sure how to start? Don’t worry; there’s no “right” way to journal! Write down whatever’s on your mind, in any way that feels most comfortable to you.

4. Get Creative

Journaling isn’t the only creative pursuit that can help you relieve stress. Many people find that any one of a number of artistic activities can help alleviate anxiety — even if you aren’t particularly skilled! Try your hand at knitting or cross-stitch, start a sketchbook, or make your way through an adult coloring book; all are pastimes that can help reduce the effects of stress you feel.

5. Get Relief On the Go

While Equilibria’s daily CBD products such as Daily Drops and Daily Softgels may help you maintain a feeling of well-being and decreased tension, sometimes you need a little extra help in times of elevated stress. Supplement your daily routine with our new innovative Rapid Calming Melts, giving you a fast-acting added boost of support right when you need it.

Here at EQ you also receive access to your own Certified Wellness Coach, so you can be sure you’re using the products and dosages that’ll work best for you. Have questions? Email us at wellness@myeq.com and we’ll be happy to walk you through choosing exactly what’s right for you and your life.