Stress: 6 Natural Ways to Deal with Stress

Stress effects both physical and mental stability.

It leads to  tight shoulders, tension headaches, pounding temples, and high blood pressure.  It also leads to anxiety, depression, grief, and worry.

Our response to stress triggers both adrenaline and cortisol hormones.

Together these two hormones regulate homeostasis in our bodies.  If at any time the two are off our well-being is in jeopardy.  Let me explain.

Adrenaline has an effect on blood circulation, metabolism, and epinephrine which is use in muscle response.  Cortisol regulates metabolism and blood sugar.  It also helps in maintaining blood pressure and  sodium and potassium levels.  It even has a role in memory.

If you have symptoms of stress that persist for long periods of time it can lead to Chronic Stress.

Chronic stress is dealing with unmanaged, consistent stress over a time.   Unmanaged stress can cause a long list of dangerous health related problems.  High blood pressure being high up on that list.

The best way to avoid Chronic stress is to learn how to manage stress levels.

Stress is and always will be a part of life.  Our ability to cope with stressful situations is what will decide our well-being.  The key to managing stress levels is to find and outlet that will make you happy and relaxed.

I have a few go-to activities that I practice when stressing and I want to share a few of my favorites with you.

Try these 6 Natural ways to deal with stress.

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Exercise

Physical exercise releases a chemical in the body called endorphin.  Endorphins counteract stress and pain.  It’s the bodies natural “feel good” drug.  When released during exercise endorphins produce a feeling of well-being and happiness.  So, go for a brisk walk and enjoy the scenery.

Lavender

Lavender has been proven to decrease anxiety and depression.  Many studies have shown that lavender causes stress levels to decrease when used in Aromatherapy.  I use a diffuser with lavender essential oil for stress relief.  Then, I draw a bath and relax.

 Music

Music is and always will be a way for me to relieve stress.   My favorite music for stress relief is smooth jazz.  The slow melodic harmonies of a jazz vocalist, saxophonist , or violinist soothes my mind and puts me in a state of peace.

You may want to listen to an upbeat tempo if your feeling down.  Try what works best for you.  Here’s one of my favorites!

Massage

Massage,  one of my favorite self rewards.  Stress and muscle tightness and stiffness go hand in hand.  If you haven’t  treated yourself to a spa massage, please try it.

I’ve had times when my shoulders where so tight and tense that I actually felt physical discomfort.

A hot stone massage and attention to my shoulders by a train masseuse has made me a believer in massage.  I walk in stressed and walked out feeling like a new person.  It works wonders.

  Deep Breathing/Meditation

Deep breathing and being still is a great way to relieve stress.  Here’s what I do.  I sit still in a quiet place and take slow deep breaths.  I focus on listening to myself breathe and nothing else.

My mind becomes quiet, all the thoughts that where racing around in my head are no longer there and calmness comes over me and stress and anxiety is gone.  Yes, it’s that simple and it works.

Nap

Take a nap.  Sometimes stress is due to sleep deprivation.  Juggling responsibilities is a task.  We wake up with a to-do list everyday.  Sometimes it may seem like there’s not enough time in the day.   So, What do we do?  Make time.  Making time involves staying up late and missing out on sleep.

Most of us do not get a full 8 hours of sleep every night.  Try to take short naps when you can to catch up on sleep.  Sleeping is when our bodies heal and rejuvenate.  So don’t cheat yourself.

These are just a few tips you can use to relieve stress.  The Idea is to do something you enjoy doing.  Something that will take your mind off of stress.   Like my dad, for instance, he loves to fish.  Sometimes the fish aren’t biting, but being on the water with nature does wonders for him.  It’s his time to relax and get away.

Now it your turn,  what activity do you use to relax and keep stress at bay.  Let us know in the comments.

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