Stress doesn’t just live in our minds — it shows up everywhere. It’s written on our faces, reflected in our skin, affects our sleep, and leaves our bodies tense and drained. But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours of self-care to bring yourself back into balance. Small, intentional practices can make a huge difference.

Here are 12 quick and powerful ways to reduce stress and anxiety when time is short:

1. Breathwork for Calm

What to do: Try “box breathing” — inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and repeat.

Benefits: Lowers cortisol, steadies your heartbeat, reduces anxiety in minutes, and improves focus.

I have used this breathing technique many times to slow down and it works really well. This breathing tecnique is also good when you want to quiet everything around you before meditating.

2. A Walk in Nature

What to do: Step outside, even for 10 minutes.

Benefits: Fresh air and greenery lower stress hormones, reduce mental fatigue, and restore energy naturally.

Breathing in deeply and appreciating all that nature has to offer is so rewarding. Listen to the birds, smell the cool fresh rain, flowers in the air, the fall leaves, the crisp winter; no matter the season, there is always something to appreciate.

3. Hug a Tree

What to do: Place your arms around a tree trunk and breathe deeply.

Benefits: Studies show direct contact with trees calms the nervous system and improves mood. Many people report feeling re-energized and grounded.

This is a must try and do! Thanking a tree for the oxygen they give us and feeling their energy is really revitalizing!

4. Walk Barefoot on Grass

What to do: Take off your shoes and walk slowly on grass.

Benefits: “Earthing” connects you to natural energy fields, helping reduce inflammation, ease stress, and restore calm.

Thanking Mother Earth as you walk on the grass is something I do often. Standing barefoot and feeling the earth and the sun is vital. Taking the time to do this really is energizing and feeling gratitude.

5. Place Your Feet in Water

What to do: Soak your feet in a lake, stream, or even a basin of cool water.

Benefits: Refreshes tired feet, reduces stress, lowers body heat, and creates a sense of clarity.

I did this yesterday! Connecting with a body of water really does energize you. Feeling the waves on your feet, the coolness of the water, takes you away from your stresses and focuses you on the calmness around you; enjoy the moment.

6. Shower Steam with Echinacea & Lavender

What to do: Place a shower steamer in the corner of your shower.

Benefits: Lavender relaxes the nervous system, eases tension, and supports better sleep. Echinacea boosts immunity while calming your mind.

If you do not have a formula to make these yourself, I will be sending out another post with an easy formula to make these. Some people even hang eucalyptus in the shower to receive the benefits of this for your immune system and breathe it in deeply while showering.

7. Herbal Facial Steam

What to do: Lean over a bowl of steaming water infused with calming herbs like chamomile or lavender.

Benefits: Opens pores, detoxifies skin, clears sinuses, and encourages relaxation through aromatherapy.

I will be selling herbal facial steams and bath teas, look for these to purchase! Drinking herbal teas has so many benefits for your body and soaking in herbal tea baths also give your outer body so many benefits which soak into the skin.

8. Detox Mask

What to do: Apply our Matcha Green Tea & Kaffir Lime Detox Facial Mask while you do chores or relax.

Benefits: Draws out impurities, refreshes tired skin, and gives you a mini spa break that also boosts self-confidence.

Self care is vital to show yourself that you matter and that you love yourself. By creating mini spa rituals at home does exactly that.

https://www.breathenaturalorganics.ca/product-page/matcha-green-tea-kaffir-lime-detox-mask

9. Bamboo Charcoal & Spearmint Detoxifying & Exfoliating Body Wash

What to do: Massage gently into skin during a shower.

Benefits: Exfoliates, boosts circulation, smooths skin, and provides an energizing reset after a stressful day. This, again, is self care. Using a body scrub for your entire body is vital to rid your body of dead skin build up, open clogged pores and reveal fresh, smooth skin.

https://www.breathenaturalorganics.ca/product-page/bamboo-charcoal-spearmint-detoxifying-exfoliating-body-wash-1

10. Himalayan Salt & Seaweed Detox Bath Soak

What to do: Add desired amount to your bath and soak for 20 minutes.

Benefits: Rich in minerals that relax muscles, detoxify the body, and deeply calm the mind.

This is another self care ritual that helps calm the body and by breathing in the scents helps clear and calm the mind.

https://www.breathenaturalorganics.ca/product-page/himalayan-salt-seaweed-detox-bath-soak

11. Simple Stretches

What to do: Try neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, or touching your toes.

Benefits: Releases tension, improves blood flow, and helps your body let go of stress that builds from sitting or worrying.

Sitting too much daily decreases blood flow and circulation. It is vital to get up, walk, stretch, do jumping jacks, jump on a trampoline, swing your arms, create movement and blood flow.

12. A 2-Minute Gratitude Reset

What to do: Close your eyes and think of three things you’re grateful for right now.

Benefits: Gratitude shifts your focus, lowers stress, and releases “happy” hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

Spending time in gratitude daily is a good habit to create. You will see a shift in how you view your world when you are grateful for all you already have.

To Conclude:

Stress will always come and go — but how you respond makes the difference. With these 12 quick practices, you can calm your body, clear your mind, and bring yourself back to center even on the busiest days. There are so many great habits to create in your daily life, I just wanted to bring a few to light to help you get started.