Every human being experiences stress at some point in life. Thanks to our tiring jobs, faulty eating habits, pollution and most of all our lethargy which adds to the cause of stress. Everyone reacts to stress differently. Some may cope with it and some may not. Studies have proved that an increase in stress hormones might speed up cognitive decline in people as they age.
When you feel stress, your body secretes hormones called adrenaline and cortisone, which lead to an increase in blood pressure, blood sugar levels and in the worst case may lead to major organ damage. Therefore, it is important to fight against stress before it bogs you down.
Here is a list of some of the most effective natural stress reducers:
Music therapy: How about a prescription for ear soothing music to fight and overcome stress and diseases? Sounds great isn’t it? Whether you accept it or not, music affects our daily life, as every human being responds to it. An amalgamation of psychology and counseling, music can act as a healing therapy to cure several conditions like depression, personality issues, autism, cancer, etc.
Outdoor walking: Walking is an inexpensive, low-risk and easiest accessible form of exercise. It significantly contributes to enhanced mental health and well-being.
Meditation: Meditation is certainly the best way to keep stress at bay. As per studies, daily 25 minutes of focused meditation drastically affects people`s ability to be resilient under stress.
Massage: If you are a massage lover, here is one more reason for you to indulge in it more often; massage improves vascular function and helps in reducing stress. Essential oils, known as relaxants help to soothe your mind and eliminate anxiety.
Sleep well: Most people do not care about their sleeping schedule and do not get adequate sleep. A good amount of sleep of about 7-8 hours is necessary to relax your mind and reduce stress levels. Whereas, improper sleep can lead to puffy eyes, muscular cramps and reduced immunity. So sleep your way to good health and enjoy stress free life.
Exercise: Studies have proved that daily physical exercises help protect brain from stress-induced depression. One should ensure physical activity like walking, jogging, playing games like tennis or football on a daily basis for at least 30 minutes as it rejuvenates one’s mind and senses.
Eating healthy: Eating well plays an important role in maintaining good health. It is advised to eat blueberries, salmon and almonds, which help in combating stress. Drinking a cup of green tea also rejuvenates your senses and reduces stress levels.
No social networking please: Thanks to our hectic schedules that we are most of the time busy either working, and after work, chit-chatting and knowing what interesting is happening in others life. A good way to deal with stress is to disconnect yourself for a while; ignore social networks and set that phone aside. Give time to yourself, feel the fresh air and notice the difference.
Positive thinking: Yes, you heard it right. Positive thinking plays a major role in combating stress. It may be a little difficult to think positive in a stressful situation, but believe it or not, giving positive messages to your mind helps ease anxiety and helps you remain calm and happy.
Laugh out loud and smile: No, I am not kidding. Laughter is the best medicine is an age-old saying and holds true in this age too. Whenever you face a situation of extreme stress, try laughing, or at least, smile as it releases endorphins which decrease stress levels in the body. Being happy is the ultimate mantra to beating stress.
