Feeling stressed? You are not alone. Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people. We all know that feeling when your muscles start aching, your heart starts beating a bit too fast and you find it increasingly difficult to concentrate. That’s stress talking. And once again it is trying to rear its ugly head into your space of calm.
Are you ready for the good news? You don’t have to welcome the physical effects of stress into your world. You have the power to wave goodbye to your stress in minutes. These stress-busting strategies are simple and readily available to everyone. They make a real difference in how you manage stress. So, take a moment for yourself and for your health. Stop whatever you are doing. We encourage you to give these tried and true stress busters a try.
Stress Busting 101
Relax Those Muscles: When your body is relaxed – it is more difficult for tension to take hold. There are a number of ways to get immediate relief from tension and stress that is being stored in your muscles. A great exercise for reducing the effects of stress on your body is to try Progressive Muscle Relaxation. This exercise can be practiced anywhere. You can try it while sitting at your desk or for added benefit stretch out on the floor, your couch, or your bed. Focus on one area of your body at a time. It doesn’t matter where you start. All you need to do is tense a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax those same muscles as you breathe out. Work your way through all the muscles of your body, continuously being mindful of your breath. For added benefit, repeat the exercise 2-3 times until you feel completely relaxed.
Stop and Smell the_______? Have you ever noticed how you feel when you smell something beautiful like lavender, freshly baked caked, rain on a warm summer day, or peppermint? Don’t underestimate the power of smell and the impact it can have on reducing your stress while promoting a state of relaxation. In fact, studies have shown that aromatherapy does indeed have an effect on brainwaves and can alter our emotions in positive ways. Think of your favorite smells and incorporate them into your stress-busting routine. Next time you are at the store pick up a scented candle. An essential oil diffuser situated next to your office desk can help restore calm throughout your busy workday. Or perhaps at the end of your day relax in a nice bath filled with scented bath salts or bath oils. There are so many options, the choice is yours.
Pour Yourself a Cup of Tea: It’s true, tea has many benefits that relate to overall health. Scientific studies prove that drinking a cup of tea can reduce your levels of stress too. With so many different teas to choose from, it can be hard to know which one will have the best result. Try to stick to decaffeinated tea if you can. Decaffeinated green tea, in particular, has been proven to not only decrease your stress levels but improve your quality of sleep as well. The good news is that with so many flavors to choose from your palate will never get bored. So why not try a cup of peppermint, chamomile, or lavender tea today and relax and breathe in the soothing aroma of this wonderfully hot, and delicious treat.
