Let's talk about it.
Lets talk about stress.
We've all dealt with it at some point in our lives. Whether that's in high volumes or just during the daily rush and hustle and bustle. Stress is a natural human response to challenging and dangerous situations. This can at times prove to be helpful in resolving issues, but unfortunately more often than not, it can also have a negative impact on both our mental and physical health. Signs that you may be over stressed include headaches, nausea, irritability, inability to focus, difficulty in decision making, chest pain, insomnia, loss of appetite, loss of libido and frequent colds just to name a few.
Today we're taking a look at some natural remedies to help fight off stress.
1. Meditation
Some simple meditation, or quiet self reflection for just 10 minutes a day can help decrease our breathing, pulse rate and blood pressure, all of which become heightened during periods of high stress. Controlled breathing is recommended by doctors across Australia to help calm the nervous system and increase general feelings of well being. Controlled breathing is slower and deliberate, focusing on inhaling and exhaling from your abdomen.
2. Essential Oils
Essential oils have long been celebrated for their ability to enhance and calm our mood's and feelings. Lavender essential oils are most commonly used for the relaxing properties, however lemon and orange oils also have uplifting properties. There are lots of different ways you can use essential oil these days. The most popular is of course using an essential oil diffuser, or applying them directly on your pulse points. We stock a selection of roll on oils, including the ever popular stress soother.
3. Exercise
Exercise is beneficial to the overall health and well being of your brain and body. Any form of exercise has been proven to release endorphins into your body, which are the brain's natural mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the "runner's high" and for the feelings of relaxation and optimism that accompany many workouts. Exercise has also been shown to decrease the levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol though our body. It may be hard to start up an exercise routine if you haven't done so in a while, but start small, with some walking and the benefits will amaze you!
4. Have a Cuppa
There are many types of teas available that have proven relaxation benefits. Chamomile has a mild, flowery taste, which has been shown to reduce insomnia and anxiety.It is also caffeine free which means it is a perfect cup to sip on before bed time. Peppermint tea also aids in digestion, while relaxing your body and mind, and is also caffeine free. Calming and sleepy tea blends are also very popular and effective at releasing stress and anxiety as they are blended with various proven tea's so you can gain multiple benefits at once.
5. Get a Cuddly Companion
There have been numerous studies that show that spending time with animals has been proven to decrease stress within humans. In fact, the use of animals as therapy dogs/cats is on the rise, as simply spending time wit these cuddly companions releases endorphins in our brains, for an instant mood boost!
6. Take Time Out
It's easier said then done, but even just 15-30 minutes of down time without any outside stimulation is really beneficial at alleviating the effects of stress. Take a bath with some magnesium flakes, which are shown to not only relieve skin conditions such as eczema, and treat muscle pain, but also to relax the mind and body. Avoid harsh lights from technology before bed and be sure to unwind.