Stress Relief Techniques for a Holistically Healthy Lifestyle

In many ways, I think we’ve started to accept stress as just a part of life. But the truth is, chronic stress quietly wears down our bodies, our skin, and our spirit. I’ve personally experienced how the constant pressure of keeping up with the demands of entrepreneurship and motherhood can affect my overall well-being if I’m not intentionally managing it.

Over time, I’ve realized that there are different seasons in life when our stress is higher and we’re more stretched thin. It’s during these times that we need to be especially gracious and compassionate with ourselves—while doing our best to care for our minds and bodies by giving them the rest and healing they’re asking for. The more stress you’re under, the more self-care is needed.

That’s why at Citron, we believe in a more balanced approach—where stress relief isn’t a luxury, but a lifestyle.

In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite stress relief techniques that support whole-body wellness—from the inside out.

1. Start Your Day Grounded: Create a Morning Ritual

Before the demands of the day begin, give yourself a few quiet moments to ease into your morning.

Try this:

• Stretch or do a few yoga poses

• Sip a warm cup of herbal tea mindfully

• Journal (I like Morning Pages)

• Meditate

• Set a simple intention for the day

  
  

Each morning, before anyone else gets up, I drink a glass of lemon water, reward myself with a little coffee, and sit in my sunroom (or outside on the deck if it's nice). I do 15 minutes of breathwork and meditation, then journal. It helps me get centered before the rush begins.

2. Breathe-Work

Most of us breathe shallowly when we’re stressed. Practicing deep, intentional breathing signals your nervous system to relax.

Try this:Practice box breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold again for 4. Repeat for a few minutes.

I’ve also been loving 4-7-8 breathwork: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. I use it right before I get my girls ready for school (things can get a little intense with 10-year-old twin girls!). I also use it anytime I feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, or just need grounding during the day.

3. Nurturing Touch + Therapeutic Treatments

Human touch is powerfully beneficial—it releases oxytocin, reduces cortisol, and soothes the nervous system. Holistic spa treatments are designed to be both relaxing and deeply restorative.

Consider these treatments:

• Massage therapy or body treatments (with steamed towels and calming aromatherapy)

• Facials with a focus on relaxation and facial massage

• Infrared sauna for detox + nervous system support

  
  

Our signature facials, massages, and body treatments are designed specifically for overstimulated nervous systems, using lemon rosemary-infused oils and gentle pressure to release stress. Each treatment includes a private infrared sauna session to support a deeper state of rejuvenation.

4. Nourish Yourself with Stress-Reducing Foods

What you eat affects your mood and stress response. A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and adaptogenic herbs can help balance cortisol and support your nervous system.

Try this:

• Add magnesium-rich leafy greens like spinach or Swiss chard

• Sip adaptogenic teas (like our Stress Tea with ashwagandha or tulsi, complementary with your Citron treatments)

• Snack on walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or dark chocolate in moderation

  
  

Try this calming elixir:A warm almond milk latte with reishi and cinnamon

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 tsp reishi mushroom powder

• ½ tsp raw cacao powder (optional)

• Honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener (optional)

• Dash of cinnamon

  
  

5. Create Digital + Mental Boundaries

Constant notifications, social media, and over-scheduling can keep your stress response switched on. A healthy lifestyle includes healthy boundaries.

Try this:

• Turn off push notifications for a few hours a day (or try a phone lock box)

• Designate “tech-free” spaces like your bedroom or dining area

• Practice saying no to energy-draining commitments

We have a phone-free dinnertime in my house, and I keep a real book by my bed. It helps me sleep better and feel more grounded before I fall asleep.

6. Nature and Movement

Time in nature is scientifically proven to lower stress levels. Gentle movement—like walking, dancing, or restorative yoga—helps release tension and uplift your mood.

Try this:

• Walk through a park, on nature trails, or at the beach

• Dance around your living room or try Zumba

• Stretch outside in the sunshine for 10 minutes

I start each day with a morning walk with my husband and our French bulldog, Elias—or head to Barrington Beach and walk barefoot in the sand. It’s such a restorative, therapeutic ritual.

7. Rest is the New Hustle

True wellness includes rest—not just physical, but emotional and mental rest too. Building space into your week will help you slow down and restore.

Ideas for restful rituals:

• A warm bath with essential oils

• An evening wind-down playlist

• Guided meditations before sleep

• A spa day to yourself at a boutique spa (I might know one you’d love)

Sunday nights, I love to take a hot bath, put on a face mask, light a candle, and just be. It’s my reset ritual for the week ahead.

A holistically healthy lifestyle isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about creating pockets of presence, peace, and simple practices that support your nervous system, mind, and body. Stress relief is a daily practice, and even small shifts can have a big impact.