Soothe Away Your Stress part 4

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.

Celebrate the Small Stuff:
This year, take the emphasis off creating the “perfect” holiday by taking a moment to appreciate the many things you have to be grateful for. Make it real by writing down your list — the hot coffee you had with breakfast, the way your husband makes you laugh, the blue sky — nothing is too small or too big. Whatever we focus on magnifies; but choosing to highlight the positive you’ll only invite more of it to grow.

Sea Salt Bath:
Recover from the holidays with an easy detox: Add a cup of sea salt to a warm bath and soak. The salt draws impurities out of the skin. To make it even more rejuvenating, sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the water and light some candles. Be sure to turn off the phone, because having to jump out of the tub and run dripping across the room is definitely not relaxing.

Start Again:
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” –Henry Ford By now, your New Year’s resolve has probably started to wane. You certainly aren’t the only one! Few self-directed changes happen immediately. Whenever you find yourself straying from your goals, simply start again. No drama, no beating yourself up, and no guilt. Just get going. Whether you need to restart once or one thousand times, it only matters that you do it.

Stress-Busting Smoothie:
Magnesium is key to warding off the physical effects of stress. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the first minerals to be depleted by stress. Replenish your stores and boost your body’s ability to handle stressful situations with a smoothie made with raspberries, bananas, orange juice, and plain yogurt — all good sources of magnesium. To boost the relaxing effect, take 10 minutes to sit and sip your smoothie instead of guzzling it as you dash out the door.

Seek Inspiration:
After several months of cold temperatures and long nights, the winter blues can start settling in. Do something this week that inspires you, whether it's visiting a museum, starting a new craft project, visiting a friend who makes you feel great, or rereading a favorite book. It may not cross anything off your to-do list, but it will give you a little lift that will make the things you have to do more enjoyable.