We all deal with stress at some point in our day, and sometimes we have stressful periods that can last for months. Whether it’s divorce, grief, or just your children moving out of the house, you can experience prolonged stress for many reasons. However, if left unchecked, stress can be a catalyst for some serious health issues. There are many ways to improve the health of women and men naturally, and a considerable part of that is eliminating stress. While talking to your GP or a therapist is a great way to get a handle on stress that’s taking a toll on you, there are ways you can try today without needing an appointment. Let’s look at some natural ways to relieve stress and start feeling good again.
Physical Exercise
While the benefits of exercise to our physical bodies are well known and documented, you may not realize its impact on your emotional well-being. The next time you’re feeling a sense of stress or overwhelm, try getting your heart rate up for a few minutes – you’d be amazed at how much better you feel. Even if you don’t feel like doing cardio, going for a simple walk or practicing yoga can make all the difference in the world. Studies have shown that those who regularly exercise have lower stress levels than their more sedentary counterparts. So, let that be your motivation to find a form of physical activity you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.
The Tapping Method
While this works for stress, it works incredibly well for anxiety – a manifestation of too much stress. The tapping method, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), involves tapping on meridian points of the body. The tapping method is based on principles of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology. By focusing on what is stressing you and tapping on specific meridian points, you are sending a calming signal to your brain that helps you let go of stress and relax.
Supplement Your Lifestyle
If you already lead a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise and still are struggling with stress using the best adaptogen supplements, herbs and vitamins can make a huge difference in how you feel. Some people love Ashwagandha for its calming effects, others prefer daily magnesium supplements to get back their sense of calm. Work with a naturopath or visit a natural foods store to consult with someone who can point you in the right direction of what will work best for you.
Decluttering Your Life
Minimalism is something that we’ve all heard of at this point. Some people may be interested in living that way, while others know it won’t work for them. If you’re in the camp of people who think it may work for you to lighten your load by reducing your belongings and clutter in your home, it’s worth a shot. Studies have shown that people who live a minimalist lifestyle tend to live more intentionally and have less stress and anxiety than others. Additionally, if some of your focus is financial, living a life of less consumption and feeling like you need to “keep up with the Joneses” is incredibly freeing. It’s worth picking up some books on the subject or reading minimalist blogs to point you in the direction you want to head in and teach you how to get started.
Eat This, Not That
When you’re a teenager or even in your twenties, you can get away with eating pretty much whatever you want, and it does not affect you. However, as you get a little older, you’ll notice that what you consume through your diet affects your physical and mental health. Making health-conscious decisions regarding the food we eat is a great way to keep our stress levels low. Food directly affects cortisol levels and blood pressure too. Next time you want to opt for fast food instead of healthy, fresh ingredients, keep that in mind.
We all know that stress is expected in our day-to-day lives, and the ability to roll with the punches is essential. But, if you’re struggling with stress levels that make you uncomfortable or are affecting other areas of your life, try the above-mentioned ways to get a handle on it, so you can start feeling better. Here’s to your health and taking it easy!
