When stress and anxiety hit you, reach beyond conventional medicines to simple, natural remedies to regain your wellbeing
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Everyone is affected by stress, worry and anxiety at some point in life, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it when it happens to you. It’s important to address the signs of stress before they consume you, destroy your mental health and start seeping into all the other areas of your life. Medications are available for dealing with stress and anxiety, but the side effects are often scarier than the conditions they mask. Here are a few natural tools you can implement for coping with the mental pressures that keep you from living your most fulfilling life.
Journaling
Release stress through your fingertips by writing things down. Research shows that journaling relieves anxiety and improves mental health. Focus on the positive aspects of your life through a gratitude journal, and document your successes so you fully appreciate yourself in the moment. Write about the things you hope to actualize in your life such as financial security, better relationships, adventures or even a vacation cruise in 2022; whatever your dreams are for your future. You can also unload all your painful, negative thoughts onto a piece of paper and then shred it, symbolically releasing yourself from a toxic mindset.
Nature Therapy
There is nothing that heals your broken spirit quite like a connection with nature.
Human beings have evolved from the natural world and evolved to exist in the natural world.
It is the reason they leave huge parks in the middle of big cities, and why people head for the coasts when they need a break. When you feel the need to clear your head, find a local park, nature path or head for the beach. Studies show that even a 20-minute rest away from the hustle of life can significantly reduce your stress levels. If nothing else, sit under a tree outside your office building for a little while and just breathe fresh air. Let the sunshine warm your shoulders and appreciate the breeze blowing through your hair. You’ll feel immediate calm and relief from the pressures of your day.
Walking
Exercise in any form is excellent stress relief, but walking is relatively low impact and should not pile additional physical pain onto your existing mental stress. Take time each day for walking, as regular exercise has shown to lower stress hormone levels and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. As part of a routine, exercise can contribute to healthier sleep, which can also improve emotional wellbeing. As your body and mind adjust to your new regimen, and you gain more confidence, you can start to explore other types of workouts as well.
Aromatherapy
Essential oils are often controversial, with some touting them as a panacea not backed by science. However, many people have found aromatherapy to be a soothing complement to traditional therapies such as massage or salt baths. Anything that helps you relax will help you alleviate emotional tension, and improve health. A few of the most calming essential oils include:
- Lavender
- Orange blossom
- Sandalwood
- Rose
- Bergamot
Apply a drop or two to a tissue and drape it across your face as you lie back and relax for a few minutes at a time. For a prolonged effect, add a few drops of your favorite oil to a diffuser and set it to go for hours.
Meditation
Mind and body practices such as mindfulness and meditation have the power to change your life. The therapeutic potentials include improved emotional and cognitive processes, with memory retention and stress relief being the top benefits of the practice.
Begin a stillness exercise by finding a quiet space to sit and focus on your breathing. Concentrate on your bodily sensations and allow your mind to go silent.
This will help you release tension and let go of the stress that weighs you down. You’ll return feeling recharged and ready to tackle anything.
Salt Baths
Stress causes tension to build up in your muscles, which in turn, exacerbates you with physical pain. For immediate relief, sink into a hot bath and let go of all that tension. The water will relax your muscles and increase your body temperature, which will help to regulate your mood. Add Epsom salts for a magnesium boost to alleviate those sore muscles. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender or rose, for the soothing effects of aromatherapy during your salt bath.
Crystal Healing
Another provocative alternative to western medicine, crystals are some of the most popular natural healing remedies. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but their curative benefits include calming the spirit and relieving overwhelming stress. There are many types of crystals and each has its own natural influences. For example, amethyst is known to be incredibly meditative, calm and good for bringing balance back to the physical plane. When crystal shopping, trust your instincts and choose a stone that resonates with your soul. Place it somewhere nearby or carry it with you wherever you go for protection from negative energy. Incorporate it into your other meditation and relaxation regimens. Hold it in your palm as you visualize the crystal absorbing all your worry and pain.
Stress affects everyone differently and your health journey is your own. If the idea of using conventional medical remedies gives you even more anxiety than that you already carry, then what’s the point? A common theme among the methods given above is self-care. Slow down, let go of the things that make life “too much” and take time to let your body, mind and spirit heal, so you can lean into the best version of yourself every day.
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