Everyone around the world deals with it every day, STRESS.  When an intense or difficult situation comes about, our body is trained to release hormones and trigger neuroreceptors in the brain; this essentially creates the feeling of being "stressed out".  I am no stranger to the different obstacles stress can bring.  Running a small business is hard!  It is inevitable that I am going to have a few days each month that bring about some stress that can feel overwhelming.  

Bodies all react in various ways when it comes to stress.  Increased blood pressure and acne or skin irritation are other common side effects of living a stressful life.  How can we heal or prevent these ailments?  Living a completely stress-free lifestyle is next to impossible, so we can cross that option off the list. I have learned some easy & effective techniques that help you clear your mind!

Scrub me secret: stress and anxiety can affect the skin internally and externally. increased hormone fluctuation & inflammation are internal factors that can cause breakouts or hives. externally, many tend to pick at their skin or blemishes as a reaction to stress and anxiety. this can cause pigmentation and marking that takes a bit of time to heal.

 Some of my favorite ways to relax my body and mind are: indulging in aromatherapy or blowing off some steam with physical activity.  I have also found that treating myself to some at-home facial massage or "spa treatment" can greatly reduce levels of stress. 

Aromatherapy for stress-relief:

Aromatherapy; it's easy, it's fast, and you can do it anywhere!  Aromatherapy is when essential oils are used to heal, calm yourself, or provoke a certain feeling.  One great thing about this is that you are able to do this anywhere.  It's best for those of you with crazy schedules or work-related stress.  All you need is the essential oil that works best for you and a small cloth or cotton ball.  Just a few drops of oil should be applied to the cloth and the next step is to deeply inhale.  The brain registers aromas twice as fast as it registers pain.  This means the aroma can bypass everything and go straight to your nervous system, intercepting your response to stress.  Lavender and chamomile are two of the most popular essential oils used for calming and relaxation.  Great ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine would be to stash your chosen scent in your purse or desk drawer, use bath and body products that have your favorite essential oil in them, or use your essential oil as a light perfume, dabbing it behind your ears.

Scrub me secret: aromatherapy can even be used to give yourself a little boost of energy! essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and spearmint can invigorate your senses, clear sinuses, relieve headache tension. try inhaling these essential oils when you feel like your stamina is running low.  

Pressure points for stress-relief:

DIY massage is another way to relieve stress without having to take a lot of time from your day.  Pressure point massage is something we have found to be very effective for relief.  Tension headaches are one of the most common ways our body is telling us we are stressed out.  Involuntary muscle constriction in our neck and facial muscles causes this type of headache.  There is a group of pressure points along your forehead and eyebrow ridge that are especially helpful in relieving this pain.  Finding the small divots (pressure points), pressing firmly with one finger, and rotating in a circular motion will alleviate pressure and regulate blood flow.  Pressure points can be found all throughout the face and head. View the diagram to see where some of our main stress relief pressure points can be found.  

scrub me secret: a classic Swedish or deep tissue body massage can also be very helpful for stress relief. When we have stress our body releases hormones to certain parts of the body to enhance it so it can deal with a threat more easily.  Muscles tighten so we can be more resilient in an attack, and this is what causes muscle tension. A massage can be so great for relief!

Physical activity for stress-relief:

Staying active is the best way to promote overall health.  It has also been proven that doing some sort of physical activity can greatly reduce stress.  When you exercise or participate in something active, endorphins are released into your system.  When endorphins are released into the nervous system, it creates a sense of euphoria.  Something as small as a short afternoon walk can release endorphins and alleviate stress.  If a short walk can combat stress, what does a more vigorous workout session do for you?  During strenuous activities, not only are you getting a ton of endorphins, you are also increasing your circulation.  An increase in blood flow and circulation for a small period of time can help regulate blood flow and decrease blood pressure over time.  Having a great workout session can help relieve a lot of aggression also. Exercise and cardio activities are some of my favorite way to de-stress.

At-home spa treatments for stress-relief :

I saved the best for last!  Pampering yourself at home may take some time from your evening but I promise it's an incredible way to melt away stress.  At-home spa treatments don't have to be difficult or expensive.  Some of my favorite indulgences include an exfoliating and hydrating body treatment or a mini facial. 

scrub me secret: take the extra step and light a few candles to create a spa-like ambiance.  Pandora also has a few awesome spa and relaxation channels.  Go all out, it makes a big difference.

Body scrub treatment:

For this body treatment, you will need your favorite sea salt body scrub or a scrub me man soap.  You will also need a body butter or body oil. I obviously always opt for a scrub me whipped shea butter, they are light and fluffy and ultra-hydrating. 

The first step is exfoliation, stand or sit in a dry tub and take small handfuls of scrub and glide all over your body (if you are using man soap you will have to thoroughly wet the soap before use).  It is best to use long slow motions as you exfoliate, this helps you to focus on the sensation rather than your thoughts.  Dead sea salt is also known to relieve small muscle aches, this is why we like sea salt best.  After you have scrubbed your body from head to toe, rinse yourself off with a relaxing shower or bath using warm water.  Once you step out of the tub you can apply the body butter onto damp skin.  This way moisture is locked in, giving you a silky feeling.

scrub me secret: I am a huge fan of cold/hot showers. this is a showering technique that entails changing the water from super cold, to warm, and hot a few times during your shower session. it’s amazing for stress relief, circulation stimulation, and gives you glowing skin & hair.

Mini Facial:

An at-home facial is a great way to take your mind off stress and channel it into helping your skin glow! For at-home facials I never recommend doing any of your own extractions, this can cause damage to the skin and should be saved for a professional facial. If you’re in dire need of treating a pimple read my blog post “Don’t pop that pimple - do this instead.” An at-home facial can consist of a deep cleanse, facial steam, a treatment mask, and a facial massage. Here are a few blog articles that will give you all you need to give yourself an amazing spa-like facial in your own home!

• For exfoliation - “scrub me’s go-to facial mask”

• For facial steam - “The best facial steamer you didn’t know you already had”

• For a treatment mask - “At-home mask recipe to enhance ANY skin type”

• For facial massage: “Gua sha lymph drainage movements”

Don't let stress control you.  It’s important for our skin and minds to take a little time to de-stress each day.  So next time you encounter a stressful situation or are having a really rough day take 2 minutes to inhale your favorite essential oil or take 20 and give yourself a treatment.  Happy scrubbing!