Stress… Whether it’s personal, family or work related, it’s a part of all our lives. In this modern world of multitasking and jam-packing our schedules, it becomes more important than ever to understand and manage your stress..
Dangers to physical and mental health
Not only can stress cause mental symptoms including anxiety, frustration, feeling moody and overwhelmed but it can also manifest in common physical symptoms including low energy, headaches, upset stomach, chest pain and rapid heartbeat. So before you consider taking something for your headache or drinking an extra coffee to help with low energy, get to the root of the problem and take a second to evaluate your stress levels and manage it naturally…
Natural Ways to Manage Stress
Once you’ve acknowledged your stress there are many natural ways to deal with it…
1. Aromatherapy with Lavender
Lavender is one of the most famous herbs for relaxation, sleep and stress relief. One of the best ways to take advantage of this benefit is through aromatherapy. Lavender is the most potent essential oil in our Dream Purefume, which makes a great option for day-to-day stress management. Keep in in your purse and apply you’re your wrists throughout the day. For extra stress support, roll onto your palms, cup your hands together and inhale.
*Extra tip: combine aromatherapy with deep breathing practices (skip to tip #5 for details)
2. Get Outside. Take in Some Fresh Air and Sunlight
Spending time outside has been shown to be grounding and improve mood. Soaking up the sun is a valid method of getting vitamin D, which can improve mood and decrease depressive symptoms and many Canadians are deficient in vitamin D!
The fresh air also contains increased oxygen levels which will make you feel awake and alert as well as negative ions which are released through photosynthesis (we love plant magic). Exposing ourselves to negative ions is important as many things in our everyday lives transmit positive ions (air conditioners, computers, indoor air and electronics) that offset the tremendous benefits of exposure to negative ions.
*Fun fact Salt Lamp have also been studied for their ability to release negative ions
3. Meditation
For many people mediation seems like a daunting practice to begin, however you can get started with just 3 minuets per day! Resources like The Calm App provide great tips, tricks and guidance to help you begin meditation. Whether it be for stress relief, personal growth or better sleep habits, meditation is a simple practice that does not need to be as intimidating as it may seem!
4. Journaling
Journaling has long been proven to lower stress and anxiety, boost creativity, improve communication and relationships and provide mental clarity. ‘Morning Pages’ is a version of journaling that takes this practice and makes it part of your daily morning routine. 3 pages, hand written, every morning.
5. Exercise
When you exercise your brain produces more endorphins, which are your brain’s ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters. With regular exercise these endorphins have been shown to reduce tension, stabilize mood and improve sleep. Even 5 minuets of moderate intensity exercise has been shown to have these effects! So get outside for a walk, squeeze in a quick living room workout (Youtube is a great resource for free, guided workouts!) or start your day with a Yoga class!
5. Deep Breathing
Belly breathing is when you consciously take deep breaths that fill your belly with air. Lay down, place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest and focus your energy on simply breathing… Inhale through the noes, hold, and exhale through your mouth. You will be surprised how effectively breathing is at relieving stress when it guided, mindful and intentional.
We hope you enjoyed this quick post on the importance of stress management for your mental and physical health. Do you have other tips and tricks? Drop them in the comments!