Soothe Away Your Stress Part 3

If you missed the other parts, check them out here

Here are five more tips from Good Housekeeping's Kate Hanley on how to reduce and soothe away your stress.

Study Yourself:

Ask yourself the following questions, preferably on a daily basis, to develop objectivity on how stress is affecting your life: How did I sleep? What is my mood? How did I respond when something unexpected happened? How does my body feel? Did I have any time to myself? Taking stock in this way can help you see your relationship with stress more clearly, which helps you develop a stress-reduction plan that fits your unique needs.

Homemade Ginger Tea:

Ginger — a brown, knobby root that will never win any beauty awards — is a powerful antistress tool hailed by herbalists for its ability to soothe upset stomachs, alleviate headaches, and reduce inflammation. Create a relaxing ritual out of making fresh ginger tea: Peel 1 inch of fresh ginger root and cut it in to thin rounds. Cover with 2-3 cups of water and boil for 10-20 minutes. Sweeten with honey for a deliciously spicy nighttime soother.

Honey Mask:

Prepare your skin for winter and build a little relaxation time into your day by giving yourself a DIY moisturizing mask. The secret ingredient? Honey. The golden sweet stuff has natural antibiotic properties and leaves skin noticeably softer and moister. Apply about a tablespoon (avoiding the eye area) and rest for 10 minutes as it dries, then rinse with warm water. (Honey can also help blisters heal – use it as you would antibiotic ointment.)

Detox with a Twist:

Help your body recover from the eating extravaganza with a simple twist that encourages elimination. Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet on the floor, and arms straight along the floor at shoulder level. Pick your feet up and drop your legs to the floor on your left. Look at your right hand, or, if this isn’t comfortable on your neck, at the ceiling. Take 5 deep breaths, then switch sides.

Uncork a Bottle of Whine:

Talking about your problems can seem unproductive. But vocalizing your thoughts about things that are bothering you is actually a great stress release — it gets what’s troubling you out of your head so you can stop dwelling and start moving forward. Make a date with a friend to take turns venting. When you’re the listener, don’t commiserate or offer advice. Just be an attentive audience. If you don’t want to vent to someone else, write in your journal.