Are you feeling anxious or stressed? Although anxiety is considered a normal reaction to stress, it can develop into a disorder when it becomes excessive, creating feelings of fear, worry, panic attacks, uneasiness and dread. Sound familiar? Don´t worry, I have great news! There are so many ways to increase your happiness and well-being with these top de-stressing tips, which I can personally tell you, work amazingly well and can make so much difference in a person’s life. Change your life for good with these simple but effective natural methods for reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
1. Get distracted
If your mind is giving you a hard time, distraction. Take the dog for a short walk. Revisit your funniest emails. Listen to your favorite song, or make yourself a cup of fragrant herbal tea. The problem will still exist, but this will give your mind a much needed break and can sometimes lead to fresh thinking and problem solving.
2. No caffeine
If you feel anxious, you will want to reduce adrenaline, a hormone that caffeine stimulates. Avoid coffee, colas, chocolate, and no more than 2 cups of tea daily.
3. Eat more small meals
The key to stabilize mood is to maintain steady your blood sugar levels. Ensure you have a small meal every 2-3 hours that contains protein.
4. Herbs for stress
Passionflower, St. John’s wort, kava, oats, damiana, and chamomile are some of the many herbs that calm stress and anxiety. Those that reduce the effects of stress on the body include Licorice, Siberian ginseng, rhodiola and withania.
5. Breathe
My favorite one and the one most people forget about! The more anxious you become, breathing becomes shallower and higher in the chest. Consciously lengthen your breath, breathing deeper into the belly. Count to three on the in-breath, and four on the out-breath.
6. Talk to yourself
Affirmations are positive, self-affirming messages to yourself. In the case of anxiety, calming and positive thinking is required. Meditate. Get to know yourself, sometimes anxiety comes from the deepest place inside of us.
7. Tell someone (close to you)
Acknowledging you are finding a situation stressful, and being heard and understood by someone who cares for you is highly beneficial.
8. Aromatherapy
Light some incense or sandalwood, the sense of smell bypasses the cognitive brain. My personal favorite one is lavender, try your favorite one!
9. Cocooning
To feel more centered and ready to face the world again, gently place both palms side by side on your face, fingers gently resting on your closed eyelids. This cocoons and quietens the mind.
10. Seek help
Seek help from a psychologist or counselor if anxiety and stress has become a significant part your life. You don’t have to do this on your own. It is not a sign of weakness to seek help.
