Stressing Out?
Have you ever seen the “Stress Reduction Kit” poster that directs the stressed-out user to place the kit on a firm surface, BANG HEAD HERE, and repeat as necessary (or until unconscious)? Unfortunately, stress is a fact of nature, but dealing with it doesn’t have to be as painful as the Stress Reduction Kit suggests!
Now and again things get a little too hot to handle at work or at home for all of us. In fact, surveys show that around half of us are worried about the amount of stress we have to deal with on a regular basis.
The good news is that there are many techniques to help reduce stress and though many of them involve professional help, there are plenty of stress-reduction methods that involve only some small changes in lifestyle.
Progressive Relaxation
This form of relaxation involves you tensing and releasing each of your muscle groups from your head to your toes or the other way round. As you tense and release each muscle they tend to become more relaxed. In turn your mind also takes a turn towards a better state and overall stress release follows.
Yoga
Taking a professional yoga class is a great way to reduce levels of stress and anxiety and get fit at the same time.
Meditate
Mental silence can have a significantly positive effect on how you feel and act and meditation is one of the best methods of getting there.
Focused Breathing
The pace at which you breathe will affect the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your blood. Breathing deep can reduce these levels and therefore help with stress and anxiety. It can also cause an immediate drop in blood pressure.
Laughing
Laughter at home or at work can greatly reduce stress levels in both environments and help with the physical effects of anxiety. It’s not only a great stress reliever, but research has shown it to be one of the best medicines for overall good health!
Exercise
Another great way to cut down on levels of stress and annoyance as it provides a post exercise rush of feel-good endorphins.
Stress Reduction Programs
There are many well-being programs available that help people minimize stress levels by teaching them better ways of coping and dealing with stressful situations.
Massage Therapy
A massage is a great way to lower cortisol levels in the body and reduce muscle pain.
Be Creative
Writing and painting are cathartic and can help reduce the levels of stress and stress related symptoms due to their meditative effects. They help place things in perspective.
See A Chiropractor
Stress is processed by your nervous system. If your nervous system is in good health, your body can adapt to the stresses placed on it and avoid the headaches, exhaustion, soreness, loss of sleep and mood changes associated with them. A nervous system functioning at less than 100% can’t adapt, leading to these and/or many other symptoms. Impairment of the nervous system is most often due to a misalignment of the vertebrae surrounding the spinal cord, putting pressure on the nerves and affecting their function. By correcting these misalignments chiropractors can keep the nervous system working at 100% and help keep stress under control.
