Whether you want to admit it or not, you are no doubt stressed out. Just a function of today’s society where everything happens at a fast pace, we are in constant, permanent connection with the world around us (even when we don’t want to be), and where things have to happen now, with no time to waste leads to our body to regularly be in a heightened state of endorphin release.
And if you didn’t know, this wrecks havoc on your digestive system, ability to lose weight, energy, sleep patterns and overall feelings of healthy and wellbeing. It stands to reason then, that the best thing to do is incorporate stress reducing methods into our daily routine.
Here’s 7 for you to try:
Deep breathing
The next time you find yourself getting worked up because you are running out of time to finish your daily assignment at work, your boss is breathing down your neck and the kids need to be picked up from school in half an hour, just breathe. Take 30 seconds and take several deep breaths, focusing on nothing but the act of breathing. This helps reset your brain and send it into less of a hyperactive state and you will be more productive as a result.
Get moving
If you can do some exercise, like go for a run, or hit the gym for a while, this is the best option, as exercise releases endorphins, which calm us down and make us happier. If that’s not an option though, even going for a walk around the office or for 5 minutes down the street will help you clear your head and declutter for a while.
Use essential oils
Many essential oils have a calming or anti-anxiety affect on the body and can be a great and inexpensive way to help you reduce your stress levels. Find them in a form suitable for your skin and apply at different pulse points, or get an oil burner and burn them in your house and office (depending on scent policies). Lavendar and bergamot are two great ones to start with.
Sleep
It seems too easy, or too much of a time suck, but however you feel about it, sleep is definitely part of the answer in helping you reduce your stress. Sleep is what allows our body to recover and repair itself, it resets our brains and lack of it may also be partly responsible for why you feel so irritable, on-edge and why all your co-workers seem way more annoying today.
Listen to music
I have a selection of playlists that are my calming, de-stressing playlists, which I can put on when I am feeling, stressed. They are either calm, relaxing music, or else just some of my favourite songs that make m really happy and in doing so make me stress less. Put together some of your own playlists, or you may just want something like nature sounds which you can find online.
Just laugh
t’s true: laughter is the best medicine. And when things go awry and you are at your wit’s end with everything you have to do and everything that has been going wrong, sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh in spite of it all. No, I know it’s not funny, but laughing may in fact cheer you up and give you a better outlook to be able to deal with all the challenges you are facing.
Fuel up properly
For many people, the occurrence of stress makes them reach for the candy and chocolate, sugar and refined carbohydrates. And while this is okay every once in a while, the consumption of these foods is actually perpetuating the stress cycle: these foods cause a spike in your blood sugar and then an inevitable crash, and this fluctuation activates your stress response because it things that you have no food and sees that your blood sugar has dropped too low. Instead, focus on consuming whole foods, and minimal caffeine and sugar so you can have a steady stream of energy for your body.
By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)
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