Goodmorning and happy mid-week babes! Today I’m sharing my top 5 tips to de-stress after a long day (or week). Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives and let’s just say it’s not a fun experience to go through. Stress really used to get to me. Once I found out we were expecting, I made it a priority to learn how to manage it in the best way posssible and wanted to share how I did it!

1. Create a distraction free zone

My biggest challenge is switching off work mode, especially because we work from home and share so much of our lives! Our home is where we spend family time, make morning acai bowls, have netflix marathons and make memories..but it’s also our office, where we shoot most of our content, edit, and answer emails. This past year G and I decided it was time to really minimize on traveling and prioritize family and our health. This past year I also started sharing much more personal content so work and home started to interconnect more than ever! Regardless of what industry you’re in, wether you work 9-5 or 24/7, everyone’s guilty of taking home unfinished business. For me, I constantly struggle with thinking about all the things I couldn’t get done in one day and it’s really hard for me to detach with these things on my mind. Something I’ve started trying lately is writing a list of all the things I have to do the next day, then unplug and not think about it until the morning. This way I have a piece of mind knowing exactly what I have to do when I wake up. My challenge to you is to unplug, power off your phone and laptop and just be in the moment even if it’s just for 30 minutes at the end of the day or before you go to sleep. Try to plan certain times throughout the day to keep your phone turned off and you’ll get in a routine of doing it.

2. Get some exercise/ go for a walk 

Before we moved into the new house,  I remember thinking how much harder it’s gonna be to get a workout in without a home gym. What I’ve learned since moving into my new home is the importance of incorporating small amounts of exercise into my daily routine. G and I do a lot more than work from home..we shoot a lot of our Youtube videos here, edit content, and take care of the baby so getting out of the house for even just 30 minutes per day is so refreshing and much-needed. For those of you who recently saw my post-baby fitness routine, I love taking long walks or jogs around my neighborhood and then doing a bit of strength training right outside my house. The reality is I don’t have time to go to the gym religiously everyday and devote 1-2 hours to fitness. Incorporating activity into my lifestyle this way has made my mind and body feel refreshed, happier and more calm at the end of the day and most importantly helps me work on a more productive level. Not only is exercise proven to be an instant de-stressor, but it also gives you that feel-good boost and energy that you need to finish your day. I actually enjoy exercising outside more than an indoor gym, something about being surrounded by nature and fresh air gets me much more motivated and instantly lifts my mood. Best part is, exercising outdoors is free. So next time you’re feeling a bit drained and stressed-out whether you’re in an office building or at home, devote half of your lunch break to a mini outdoor workout session and you’ll feel that much better about moving on with your day!

3. Take a Long Nice Relaxing Bath 

One of my absolute favorite things to do to unwind after a long day is take a nice long relaxing bath! I love turning my bathroom into my little oasis with scented candles, palm leaves, essential oils and music. If you have a lot going on in your house (my new mamas know what I’m talking about here), you’ll appreciate creating a serene space that is just your own to relax and unplug from your surroundings. A few of my bath essentials are bubble bath cubes, bath oil from Jo Malone, and a deep hydrating mask that will leave my skin feeling like nourished and ready for the next day!  Lavender essential oil is also my personal favorite, not only does it smell amazing, but it gives you this instant calming relief that is perfect after a long day.

4. Drink Relaxing Teas 

As much as I love my cuban coffee and lattes, lately I’ve been more into incorporating herbal teas into my lifestyle. First off, peppermint tea is proven to be a natural de-stressor and even helps you have a more peaceful sleep! There’s an ingredient in the menthol that is a natural muscle relaxant and helps to relieve your mind from stress and anxiety. Other teas you can drink for stress relief are chamomile tea, lemon balm tea, Passion flower tea, and green tea. Not only do these teas work as de-stressors, but they help stimulate better sleep, improve digestion, minimize anxiety and increase energy levels. Recently I’ve been loving making a hot pot of a tea for G and I shortly before bed, something about making the tea and it’s aroma actually relaxes me.

5. Spend Time with Family and Friends

One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day or long week is spending time with family and friends. During the week it’s so easy to get caught up with work, errands, and checking off everything on your to-do list. So scheduling in some time to hang out with friends and family is a priority. One of our weekly traditions is taco Tuesday nights (some of you may remember from our IG stories). Now with the baby, we can’t make it out of the house as often so we try to have our friends and family at least twice per week. Having family and friends over really allows us to tune out of work, put away our phones and decompress after a stressful day. And not to mention, if I’m ever feeling too stressed out, talking to friends and family can really help me feel better and more relaxed.

Hope you loves enjoyed reading my techniques and tricks for de-stressing your day! Any other tips and tricks that I should know about? Comment below :) 

XO, Jessi