24 soothing ways to de-stress

Stress is nobody’s friend. Whether you’re stressing over something as small as choosing an outfit for the weekend or as big as how you’re going to pay rent this month, it can really affect your mood, relationships and overall wellbeing. And on a beauty note, stress can lead to breakouts and even accelerate ageing. It’s important to be able to recognise when you’re overly stressed, and to figure out which de-stressing techniques work best for you.

So just in case you’re in need of a little relaxation inspiration, we’ve collated tips from our very own beautyheaven members, along with a few from celebrities.

“I have a nice hot cup of tea - English Breakfast if I really need it. I zone out with my cuppa and concentrate only on the enjoyment of drinking my tea. I also try to go to Bikram Yoga which helps me unwind and not think too much about other things.” - CherryBlossom

“Reading beautyheaven articles helps me to de-stress. I also love to put on my headphones and listen to my favourite music.” - MoonlightSak

“I read. Books take me away from all that’s going on in my life and switch my focus.” - Meedee

“I pour a cup of caramel vanilla tea and cozy up with either a book or my kitty! I also like painting my nails or popping on a face mask and just relaxing.” - KatieBurnie

“I love window-shopping during my work lunch break! I don’t always buy things, but the browsing is quite calming.” - stackcats

“I like to walk, run and write down the things I’m grateful for. The last one helps me to concentrate on the positives in my life and truth be told, there are lots of great things in my life!” - Ms Jelena

“Reading and listening to music helps me to de-stress, as well as writing in my diary if I really want to get something off my chest. Walking can help, too.” - Seashells

“I find it really hard to de-stress, but curling up on the bed with a cup of tea, some chocolate and a video game can help sometimes.” - breathesarah

“With four kids, I don’t have much time to de-stress, but I do enjoy a bit of retail therapy. I love perusing Mecca’s site. Scanning all of the lovely bottles and jars, reading the fragrance descriptions, checking out new products… And with such fast delivery (usually the next day), it’s instant gratification. My husband is not so thrilled with that method of de-stressing. I had a particularly stressful week last week and I placed three orders! But all I have to say is, ‘It makes me happy!’, which he understands. He has his golf and I have Mecca.” - Lucrecia629

“This might sound corny, but coming home to my hubby de-stresses me. It makes me feel good to know I can walk into the house with a happy and smiley man welcoming me home.” - VivaliciousChic

“I like to walk to the park or somewhere quiet, whip out my book and read.” - siladiva

“I go to the gym, listen to my music and run on the treadmill. It’s a great way of getting my mind off things and releasing some steam.” - MissM19

“I find that swimming a few laps at the local pool helps me to de-stress. I also love spending a lazy Sunday having brunch in a cafe with friends.” - Rose_P

“I ove to sit outside and just concentrate on my breathing. It stops me from thinking. It’s almost like meditating, I’d say!” - Joanna913

“My daily agenda includes a mandatory walk on the beach! I love having that time to let my mind roam. I also LOVE animals, so it’s a relaxing and joyous thing for me to walk with my Siberian husky chub.” - softness

“Doing hot yoga really helps me. It’s an intense, detoxifying workout with some relaxation, and is quite meditative at the end. A nice cold shower afterwards helps! I love when I can get away and do a 45-minute class at lunch time. If it’s work that’s stressing me out, getting out of the office, doing something active and working up a sweat helps A LOT!” - skinbeliever

“I like to read, drink tea, dance around to music in my room, watch terrible reality shows and play PlayStation. And sometimes, if I’m super stressed, I’ll cry. That helps a lot!” - Lawliet

“I need quiet time, so I close my bedroom door and curl up with a book and a cup of tea. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Even just taking deep slow breaths and having a bit of stretch can feel pretty good.” - Emma Ocean

What’s your favourite way to de-stress? Or even better, do you have any tips on how to prevent stress altogether?