Stress Less Live Longer
7 Ways to De-Stress
Stress is as much a part of life as breathing these days and often the answers to handling it (like medications) can be dangerous to your health. We all know it is necessary to remain calm and slow down when there is chaos around us or demands to be or do something in a hurry in order to make good decisions, but did you realize that stress is the number one cause of most disease in this country?
We all have our triggers and they are as different as we are from each other. Take the time to be aware of your triggers so that you can either avoid them (not very likely) or learn a way to disarm them. Once you change your old conditioned reactions to new relaxed and clear responses your life will show remarkable improvements along with your health. So to avoid undue weakening of your immune system, eliminate disease, and premature aging find a way to remain calm and disengage from stress.
Following are a few techniques to try the next time you feel yourself slipping into anxiety, frustration or anger.
Begin by closing your eyes, sit with your back straight, and feet on the floor.
Here are a few methods to begin with:
1. Center in on your heart, breathing in and out through it. Remember a happy moment and feel it until the negative feelings fade away.
2. Focus on your breath, your third eye or the mantra, ‘so hum’ for a few moments. Let your breathe slow down, speed up, get deeper or more shallow. Allow your mind will drift and as thoughts enter, bring your attention gently back to your breath, third eye or mantra as you would a child or a pet that has begun to stray.
3. As you breathe slowly and deeply, breathe in your anger, stress, frustration, fear, or whatever it is that is disturbing you and feel it or see it; then breathe it out. Continue until you feel calm and detached from the tension before.
4. Imagine bright warm sunlight filling your chest. Feel your heart beat with the warmth of the sun. Breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Breathe the warm sunny rays deep into your body and feel the gentle peace and joy permeate your entire being. 5. Smile and breathe softly, then breathe deeply, slow down your breathe and your mind will follow. See yourself and others around you smiling or project a happy conclusion to the event. With eyes open keep the joy in sight to remain inspired and confident of your success.
Check Your Diet - Sometimes when we are under stress we react unconsciously by eating or drinking a sweet or refined carbohydrate or caffeine. These substances actually create more nervousness because they lower blood sugar levels. The body then produces adrenaline to regulate blood sugar levels. Adrenaline is a factor in the fight-or-flight response in our body’s systems which results in anxiousness. If you are feeling restless, nervous, or high-strung reducing these foods will be beneficial to you as it will lower stress by naturally stabilizing your blood sugar levels.
Drink Water - You need plenty of pure clean water to be sufficiently hydrated. When we are dehydrated, we become foggy brained, nervous, tired, confused and even depressed. Drink a half a glass of water every waking hour, or sip slowly from a bottle of water throughout the day.
Smile - Smiling creates good moods and brings back smiles to you. It is infectious and if you are feeling nervous, the act of smiling will calm and relax you.
Breathe - Deep regular breathing has an immediate calming effect. In a state of calm you will think more clearly , your reactions and speech will be clear, and your will appear confident to others.
Stretch - Stretching is a great way to ensure flexibility and reduce stress throughout your day. The nervous system is composed of the spine and brain, so in order for the mind to be relaxed, the nervous system must be relaxed. An added benefit to this when done regularly, is that the old negative, emotions held in our cells, muscles and organs, will also be released. Stretching increases overall physical, emotional and mental well-being and confidence.
Walk - Holding your head high and your spine straight, smile and walk briskly for 15 to 20 minutes. Within minutes your stress will melt away and you will feel energized and relieved with each step.
