4 Natural Ways to Alleviate Your Stress
Stress happens to everyone. It’s a strain that affects our mental, physical, or emotional health and completely takes over our minds and bodies. Whether it occurs from a positive change in your life or it’s caused by a long, challenging day, the best way to get through it is by finding relief that will work for you.
Sometimes handling overwhelming emotions can be difficult and many people tend to push them away. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your stress is gone-- it means you’ve deferred your troubles and they’ll most likely come back later, and with more power than ever.
Discovering natural ways to manage your stress each day when you’re available to handle it can be the best cure. To help deal with the pressure and ensure it doesn’t control your life, try out these natural remedies that will be sure to alleviate your stress.
Exercising
Many people may not initially think exercising is one of the best stress relievers because of the physical strain it puts on our bodies, but it actually has considerable benefits on our mental health. Sticking to a consistent workout regimen can help reduce anxiety and depression more than someone who doesn’t exercise.
This happens because when we exercise, our body releases endorphins which are meant to lower our stress hormone, cortisol, and boost our mood. Exercising also boosts our confidence and helps us achieve quality sleep which both contributes to positive mental health.
Seek Out Mindfulness Through Yoga
Practicing yoga is a great exercise that can reduce stress, help you maintain good health, and improve your daily mood. The calming practice can connect your mind with your body as it helps bring you at peace and control a variety of emotions.
If you’ve never tried yoga, but want to discover its amazing benefits, you can simply, listen to music you love in your room, sit comfortably, and take deep, slow breaths to relax. You can also check out our Rage Yoga online and in-person classes to really find your inner zen while receiving a great workout.
Smile and Laugh
A simple smile is one of the easiest ways to alleviate your stress, even when you’re in the worst mood and have to force it out. Both laughing and smiling help lower blood pressure, which helps relax your muscles and reduce your heart rate.
This is good for our stress levels because typically, in situations where we feel under pressure, our heart rate increases, which isn’t good for our overall health. So, by putting a grin on your face or making a brief chuckle, you are lowering your heart rate and feeling completely stress-free.
Radiate Your Confident Smile
Along with reducing stress and promoting a healthy heart, beaming a confident smile can provide you with an abundance of benefits, including:
Helping you build strong relationships
Feeling happier with yourself
Building a strong immune system
Relieving pain naturally
Next time you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, ask a friend to tell you a joke or watch a comedy show so you can reveal your beautiful smile.
If you’re a bit shy about smiling because of a dental flaw and want to regain your confidence with a life-changing treatment, seek care with a trustworthy dentist like Dr. Helios Houenou. He can restore and enhance the health and beauty of your smile with his comprehensive treatments.
Herbs and Essential Oils
Natural herbs and essential oils are a simple way to create a tranquil environment and heal the mind and body. Adaptogen herbs, which are unique healing plants, are often used to respond to stress and reduce cortisol levels, as well as balance, rejuvenate, and protect the body.
By incorporating adaptogen herbs within your daily intake, you can experience these benefits and easily alleviate your tension without even really realizing it. Some types of adaptogens that you can try out next time you’re having a difficult day include:
Ginseng
Ashwagandha
Maca
Rhodiola
Holy basil
Cocoa
Use a Diffuser in Your Room
Whenever you’re feeling stressed, whether you’re at work or even trying to relax at home, use an essential oil diffuser to fill the room with calming scents that help contribute to your mood. Aromatherapy has been found to help manage stress and improve your quality of sleep.
You can easily find an oil diffuser at almost any store or online, along with oils to put in it. Try these soothing scents to help you unwind and find your inner peace:
Lavender
Rose
Sandalwood
Orange blossom
Geranium
Roman chamomile
Write in a Journal
A great way to handle your own stress is by writing down your thoughts and emotions-- whether they’re good or bad. Getting it all out on paper can help you look at the big picture and make you realize what might be generating all your unwanted stress.
Noting each stressful situation will help you pinpoint what the root cause was and can shed light on how to avoid that same scenario in the future. By keeping a journal, you’re monitoring your mindset each day and discovering different approaches to deal with them.
Even writing down the positives can be a great stress reliever. Writing in a gratitude journal can help you focus on what you appreciate in life can instantly switch your mood and reduce any anxiety you may be experiencing. Simply keep a journal with you throughout your day and the next time you’re feeling tense, write it out and work through it.
Say Goodbye to Your Stress!
Some days we feel like stress has completely taken over our day and we can’t seem to get ourselves out of it. With these simple, natural remedies you can finally regain your composure and get through the day being more productive and calm than ever. Remember to find which technique works best for you so you can experience the best outcome.
-JENNA TOPPIN