Stress in any form can wreak havoc on your health. During a stressful situation, the brain experiences chemical and physical changes that affect overall functioning. “Fight or flight” hormones are released by the adrenal glands, resulting in rapid heart rate, higher blood pressure and a weakened immune system.
Addressing stress early on can limit the risk of developing a range of illnesses, from the common cold to heart disease. Reduce your stress levels and reap the benefits of these natural remedies:
- Get your sweat on and endorphins pumping. Regular exercise of any form can be a great stress reliever. Moving your body helps increase the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, or endorphins. This provides what is known as a runner’s high – a feeling of euphoria and reduced anxiety. If you have health concerns, consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
- Avoid or reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol, since both can increase stress levels. Try swapping caffeinated beverages for herbal drinks such as chamomile, peppermint and green teas, which promote calmness and relaxation. Adding drops of flower essence to your water can also boost mood, focus and stimulate creativity.
- Kick stress to the curb by keeping a diary. Write down the date, time and location of each stressful experience, including who you were with and what you were doing. Journaling about your stressful situations can help you understand your triggers so that you can develop better coping mechanisms.
- Manage your time wisely to improve your health and productivity. Find out where you’re wasting time and avoid distractions such as email and mindless Internet surfing. Set goals for yourself, such as leaving earlier for work to reduce stress related to traffic. Create a schedule for the day, list tasks by priority and complete the most important one first.
For more ways to treat stress holistically, take a look at the accompanying checklist.
Author bio: Nadia Ameri is a Certified Flower Essence Therapist for The Flower Apothecary, a provider of flower essences that support the healing of negative emotions. She has more than 13 years of experience in the industry and focuses on creating natural remedies through homeopathy healing by studying and formulating flower essences.
Holistic Happiness: Ways To De-Stress Naturally created by The Flower Apothecary