Stress Relief
Stress relief is an important component of managing our daily lives. For many of us,
stress is a fact of life as we run around in a blind panic trying to accommodate our careers, family, friends and loved ones. If you add environmental stressors such as pollution, noise and traffic to the sum you can see that is time to introduce some
natural stress relief strategies to your life.Stress is becoming more and more prevalent and we tend to think that the phenomenon exists solely in our heads but in truth, it influences our bodies as much as it does our minds. Consider this: eons ago when we were all cave people, our primitive nervous systems evolved to react to stressful situations by means of the well-known fight or flight impulse. Of course, back then a stressful situation was more likely to end in an untimely demise, but your body’s reactions remain the same whether you are being hunted by a sabre-toothed tiger or merely worried about your proposal meeting. Stress hormones are released, resulting in an increased heartbeat, augmented blood flow to the brain and muscle tissue, a reduction in
digestion, higher muscle tension and tense, shallow breathing.
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If all this tension and nervous energy is kept bundled up and not released in a positive manner, it can lead to all kinds of problems. Research has shown that more than a third of total visits to a GP’s office are due to stress-related ailments. These consist of:
- Constant fatigue, digestive problems, head pain, and backaches.
- A compromised immune system due to excess strain on the blood cells that normally assist in fighting infection.
- A better chance of developing a cardiovascular disease.
- Smoking, drug abuse, overeating and the misuse of alcohol – all in the vain attempt to relieve said stress.
Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce your escalating stress levels. Can you eradicate the underlying causes of
stress? Healthy eating is one way. Exercise is another, as is setting yourself realistic goals, reducing personal criticism and avoiding unwarranted competition, to name but a few
natural stress relievers. Diet plays a very important part, as do
stress relief supplements which are readily available at most pharmacies. Yet, step back and take a good look at your diet. Below are a few rules of thumb:
- Try to eat frequently. Keep your blood sugar levels stable. This can improve your mood and it is easily achieved by eating consistently all through the day and providing your body with a ready source of fuel Select nutrient-rich snacks such as nuts, fruit, raw vegetables and low fat dairy products (cheese, yogurt).
- Cut out the refined carbs. Or at least put a limit on the consumption thereof. Replace concentrated sources of sugar such as fruit juice, candy, jam, syrup, white breads and rice with top-notch carbohydrates (brown rice, fresh fruit, vegetables or legumes). Prevent blood sugar spikes that lead to irritability and even more stress.
- Increase your fibre ingestion. Eat soluble fibre that is found in foods such as barley, apples, pears, strawberries and carrots. These have the ability to slow down the assimilation of sugar into the bloodstream, which in turn hampers your mood swings.
- Do not forget to include: Omega 3 and 6 – found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon, folic Acid and Vitamin B12 , Vitamin D –obtained from the sun itself. So take your tea-time in the garden instead of cramped up in the office.
The most important thing is to slow down and take better care of yourself. Whether you choose to do so by participating in relaxation techniques, herbal supplements or by taking a
natural anxiety product, the choice remains up to you. Experiment with
stress relief methods until you find the one that suits you.