We all get stressed from time to time and that can be a normal and even healthy part of life. However, in our modern-day high-energy, high-achievement society, we can easily find ourselves on a rollercoaster of highs and lows. In an effort to keep up with the constant demands of daily life…..work, finances, kids, meals, relationship pressures, constant notification dings, and endless to-do lists, we can easily find ourselves in a state of chronic stress feeling overwhelmed, under pampered and completely exhausted. Luckily, there are many simple things we can do to lower our stress naturally.
substitute coffee for Green Tea
While coffee can be a great pick me up during the day and even has some health benefits, too much caffeine can exacerbate stress by triggering the release of cortisol, which is one of our main stress hormones.
If you are feeling stressed, you may want to consider trying green tea as an alternative to coffee. Green tea is not only chock-full of amazing antioxidants, but it has a large amount of the calming amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin promoting feelings of peace and well-being.
According to Psychology Today, L-theanine is even an effective treatment for moderate anxiety. It’s also a great way to assist with weight loss.
Take an epsom salt bath
This is one of my personal favorites. There’s nothing quite as soothing as soaking in a nice hot bath after a long stressful day. A great way to enhance this precious self-care time is to add a cup of two of Epsom salt. Soaking in Epsom salt not only promotes great relaxation but allows the many benefits of magnesium sulfate to be infused into your whole body through your skin. Boosting magnesium levels is great for easing sore muscles and reducing stress. Epsom salt baths are also a great way to naturally detoxify the body leading to better clarity, more restful sleep and an overall improved sense of well-being.
the power of gratitude
According to Harvard Health, the research on gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Greater happiness leads to more positive emotions which makes us more resilient to stress. An easy way to practice gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal by your bed and each morning when you wake up, jot down five or six things for which you are grateful. This helps us get into a habit of focusing on the positive things in our life because whatever we focus on most, tends to grow!
“Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think. So start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for.” – Dale Carnegie
Practice Deep Breathing for 5 minutes
Just breathe. Deep breathing exercises are one of the most practical and easy ways to reduce stress quickly and they are simple enough for anyone to try, anytime, anyplace. According to Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, author of “The Stress Solution”, deep breathing is an easy and quick way to balance the mind and body to reduce the body’s stress response. Dr. Chatterjee explains that both the pace at which you breathe and how deeply you breathe can improve your body’s ability to reduce stress. Check out this easy guided 5-5-6 breathing technique video.
quiet your mind with meditation
I started meditating on a daily basis about three years ago and it has literally been a “game-changer” in my life. Practicing daily meditation not only helps reduce my stress levels but also gives me a renewed sense of energy and clarity.
Keep in mind, there is no right or wrong way to meditate, you will learn and fall into your own best practices over time. Headspace and Calm are great apps with guided meditations making them ideal for beginners. Check this “Come to Your Senses” quick video with one of my favorite meditation teachers, Emily Fletcher with Ziva Meditation.
Exercise
Make a commitment to do some form of exercise every day. You won’t regret it, just do it! According to Mayo Clinic, regular exercise can increase self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Exercise gives you a quick surge of endorphins, those “feel good” neurotransmitters that create a great sense of calm and well-being while reducing the stress hormone, cortisol. Daily movement improves oxygen and blood flow making it a great practice to enhance overall health and boost brain function.
Get outside
Since the onset of the Covid Pandemic, let’s face it, most of us are spending hours in front of our screen. and spending too much time inside. According to the EWG(Environmental Working Group), Americans are spending 90% of their time indoors these days. With stress and anxiety being at an all-time high, it is more important than ever to get outdoors and connect with nature. According to the NCBI, a growing number of studies suggests that visiting green spaces and being exposed to nature can reduce psychological stress. Also, according to a recent study at Cornell University, as little as 10 minutes in nature can lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress. So commit to taking a break from your screen each day and get outdoors and experience the true calming and soothing effects of nature!
Reducing Stress Naturally-Final THoughts
Let’s be honest, stress is not going away anytime soon and while we all get stressed at times, chronic daily stress can be damaging to our health and lower our overall quality of life affecting our moods, behaviors, and even our energy levels. With modern-day busy lifestyles, taking time for ourselves, and practicing self-care has should become of priority if you are interested in managing your stress. Tips like trading out your coffee for green tea, soaking in an Epsom salt bath, breathing exercises, and meditation are all great ways to treat yourself to some well needed “me” time in order to calm the body and cleanse the mind. Studies have shown that disconnecting from technology and spending time in nature can be a powerful way to stabilize your mood, gain clarity, nourish your soul, and reduce overall stress.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this blog and any content within therootcausewellness.com website is intended to educate, empower, and inspire readers to make positive choices for their own overall health and wellbeing. I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist and the information contained in this website is my personal opinion based on my education, real-life experience, and research unless otherwise stated. Therefore, it is in no way intended to substitute for professional medical advice from a doctor or licensed health professional. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or medical condition. It is always recommended that you consult with a doctor or licensed medical professional before making any dietary, lifestyle, exercise, medication, or supplement changes. Kathleen Freydl, Certified Health Coach and Owner of the Root Cause Wellness, accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the use or misuse of the information contained in therootcausewellness.com website including any affiliate links.