The Most Effective Natural Stress Relievers

We cannot avoid stress, especially during these trying times. Keep in mind that stress is not the situation or the event itself. It is your physical and psychological reaction to the situation. Sometimes, stress can be a good thing and are caused by positive events – marriage, a vacation, or a new job. Stress can also be caused by negative experiences – divorce, job loss, or death in the family.

A survey from the American Psychological Association reveals that people are more anxious and stressed than ever. Finding effective ways to manage stress is essential to avoid becoming overly depressed or anxious. Long-term stress is detrimental to our emotional, physical, and mental health. If anxiety is interfering with your daily life and turns chronic, consider these most effective natural stress relievers.

• Talk about your concerns. Discussing your worries with a trusted family member or friend may give you a positive outlook. You may also gain a healthy plan of action.

• Stay active. Exercise is a great natural remedy for stress, as it helps with the body’s endorphin production – those chemicals in the brain that helps improve sleep, lessen tension, boost self-esteem, and elevate mood. Plan a routine so that you are physically active throughout the week. A study by Oxford found that exercise will help burn off anxious energy and may be a good treatment for anxiety.

• Use relaxation techniques. The age-old practice of meditation is a great example, as it can help calm the mind and improve your body’s stress response. Anyone can meditate. If you haven’t tried it yet, here are some great meditation tips.

• Aromatherapy. The olfactory nerve is not only responsible for giving you a sense of smell, it also plays a role in regulating the nervous system. The nerve sends the brain signals to parts of your brain that affects mood, memory, and emotions. Lavender essential oil has been found to help calm down your nervous system. Put a few drops of this relaxing essential oil on your bath or pillow. For a quick calm-me-down, add a few drops to one cup of hot water and inhale the aroma. Vanilla has also been shown to reduce anxiety.

• Write it down. Putting your thoughts in writing can make stress feel more manageable. Journaling can help you process your thoughts and emotions and determine what’s causing you stress. Try writing about positive thoughts and experiences for as little as 2 minutes to 20 minutes a day. Reflective writing can help you discover new things about yourself and the way you react to different situations.

These effective natural stress relievers are not only free, safe, and effective, they may also help you boost your overall health and well-being and may help you find peace.

For more health and wellness tips, feel free to get in touch with us at Physicians Premier, your Corpus Christi ER.

Sources:

“Stress in America™ Press Room,” American Psychological Association, 5 Nov. 2019, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.   

“Exercise as Treatment for Anxiety: Systematic Review and Analysis,” Oxford Academic, 20 Feb. 2015, https://academic.oup.com/abm/article-abstract/49/4/542/4562693.

Scott, E. “An Overview of Meditation,” VeryWell Mind, 14 Aug. 2019, https://www.verywellmind.com/meditation-4157199.  

Redd WH1, Manne SL, Peters B, Jacobsen PB, Schmidt H. “Fragrance administration to reduce anxiety during MR imaging,” PubMed, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7949692.