Tips To Reduce Stress Naturally
We need to get our stress under control
Stress can impact our whole being. It can cause havoc in the body, the mind and the spirit. Constant high stress encourages the body to hold onto excess weight, can turn into anxiety and impact our physical health.
With an overly connected world and full schedules, it is easy to understand why we can feel stressed on the regular.
Aside from taking a break from the online world and a few deep breaths, I have great tips for you on how to reduce your stress naturally through thought, diet and supplementation.
Combating Stress With Calm
Identify Your Triggers
When it comes to stress, identifying your triggers are key. Look at what personal or societal factors are emotional triggers for you. For me, it’s seeing Facebook posts about political topics that are not from credible sites. This I know causes stress. So, I try to avoid following the people who are posting these things or avoid Facebook for a period of time.
Physical Activity
Physical activity is a great way to feel better and in return lower stress. When you get your body moving and blood pumping you are also creating endorphins which are like natural pain killers. Try to clear your mind while getting physical and focus on the breath or on your step. This calming of the mind and of the body gives you the mental rest that you need.
Energy Work
Energy techniques like yoga, reiki or mediation are not just a bunch of wish-wash. The effects are real and once you put in the effort to learn how to do it, it becomes easier and easier to get you to a more relaxed state. Every night before bed, I lay my hand on my body and send reiki energy in to do it’s work. I accompany it with deep breathing and positive affirmations.
Positive Thought Work
On that note of affirmations, utilizing an attitude of gratitude is one of the most elevated mental tools available. If you are feeling super stressed an like you don’t have much to be grateful for, start small. Before I go to bed I like to list of 10 things I am grateful for as I fall asleep. It’s my version of counting sheep or prayer. It helps remind me of all I have to look forward to when I wake up in the morning. Write it down or think on it. You truly do have so much to be thankful for. I know I am thankful for you for showing up here to read this because you care about feeling better or helping someone else do so. You are amazing.
What Foods Reduce Stress and Anxiety Naturally
You likely have heard me or your mother or someone else who cares about you say, eat your vegetables! Seriously. It’s not just good for your body but it’s good for your mind as well. It’s not just well meaning folks who are telling you this, research also has proven it. The bacteria that is wiggling around in your gut could be contributing to your stress! I bet you are stressed just visualizing a gaggle of bacteria wiggling around in your stomach. Sorry, but I thought you should know.
Research has shown that the brain signals to the gut, which is why stress can inflame gastrointestinal symptoms. Communication can also flow the other way around, from the gut to the brain. Feeding your gut the good bacteria and alkaline food will help make your gut happy and in turn, your body.
Most Americans are falling short of our six to ten servings a day of vegetables. I know this because I really do try to make a conscious effort to do this and I often miss the mark. While I do use a green supplement to help me on most days, you can make the right choice by what you put on your plate.
Green Is Gold
Those green friends of yours staring up at you from your plate are rich in important nutrients for your body. One of my favorites of all of these is chlorophyll. This is what allows plants to make energy from the sun and makes plants green. Just as it is vital to living plants, it is vital to us. We are after all houseplants with just more complicated emotions…
Superstars like green leafy vegetables like spinach contain folate, which produces dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical that helps to keep you keep calm says Heather Mangieri, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
An exciting 2012 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders looked at 2,800 middle-aged and elderly people and found those who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression symptoms than those who took in the least. And, a 2013 study from the University of Otago found that college students tended to feel calmer, happier, and more energetic on days they ate more fruits and veggies! Yes please.
Don’t worry if you are not super excited about eating all greens. There are some other goodies that can reduce the stress hormone cortisol naturally with oatmeal, turkey, salmon and chocolate.
Stress Reducing Supplements
Okay you are deep breathing, you are eating your salads but it’s just not cutting it for you. That’s okay. I respect you realizing you may need extra help. That is good! Way to honor yourself and ask for what you need. Help is on the way.
I have three recommendations for you.
Stress Relief Complex is a favorite of mine as I ama working stay at home mom of two girls under four. This special supplement contains an Ayurvedic herb called ashwaganda root. This ancient herb has been used for over 2,000 years. It has been studied and found to relax and calm you without the drowsiness. Additional benefits include relieving bodily tension, blunting cortisol levels during physical stress, promotes natural neurotransmitter production and improving sleep and concentration. Stress Relief Complex does all of that and to boot has no known negative interactions with any medication. It is safer for older children to take.
Still struggling to get those greens in? I was until I started adding Shaklee’s Organic Greens Booster into my morning smoothies. It is a whole food supplement that contains one cup of raw, organic, nutrient-rich green vegetables in every serving. The greens included are dehydrated kale, spinach and broccoli with all of their fiber intact.
If money is a factor for you when it comes to eating well, if you compare Organic Greens Booster at less than $1.00 per scoop to one cup of organic kale, spinach and broccoli at $2.30 it’s a more economical way to eat well.
Which one of these natural stress reducing techniques are you most excited to try out? We would love to hear from you.
