1. Exercise
Choosing any form of motion on a regular basis helps relieve tension from the day. Always focus and be mindful of how you feel when doing any form of exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling or even weight resistance exercises.
Whatever movements you do should always leave you feeling calmer and more centred.
2. Deep Breathing
The way we breathe can affect the whole body. The first step is acknowledging the way we breathe. For the most part, it is usually shallow breathing we do throughout our day and sometimes we don’t even notice it!
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress and anxiety because it sends a message to the brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to the body.
The simplest way to help incorporate some daily deep breathing techniques is by gently and slowly breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Practice at least several times a day whether on a break at work, before the start of your day or just before bed to notice a difference and promote feelings of calmness and reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Reduce Caffeine Intake
If you feel anxious or jittery this may be a sign of too much caffeine consumption. Any form of caffeine such as coffee, tea, chocolate or energy drinks can be a culprit in raising anxiety levels.
Choose a good herbal tea like chamomile to help promote feelings of relaxation as it is a wonderful calmative herb! A good quality chamomile tea can be enjoyed daily or before bedtime to prepare for a good night’s sleep!
4. Consider a good supplement
Anxiety and stress are related to the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for regulating and maintaining homeostasis and controls everything from breathing, walking, thinking and feeling. When the body is undergoing stress, anxiety or both, an imbalance in the nervous system can occur and a good supplement can help to rebalance the body.
There are different supplements to help to reduce stress and anxiety in the market today like a B-Complex, Omega 3 supplement or a good quality herbal supplement to help nourish and calm the nervous system. Always ask a Natural Health Practitioner or a Herbalist for a good recommendation and proper dosage based on your specific health goals.
Check out “Zerenity” by Nature Sunshine Products, a popular herbal supplement that is beneficial for any form of anxiety. Click the link below to view and receive 25% off anytime you place your first order!
5. Write a to-do list
A great way to handle stress and anxiety is by writing down a to-do list. Organizing a list of priorities daily can help start your day on the right track without having to think what needs to be done first!
If the list gets longer simply prioritize and remind yourself that it’s ok if it doesn’t get all done. These lists are also good proof of what has been achieved that day, week or even month allowing a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction!
Need a head start? Choosing a good professional service to help balance your personal or business tasks is a great way to get you started.
Visit upbeatconcierge.com and check out their great services including event planning, a personal shopper to run errands, organize your travel plans for your next meeting and more …
6. Social Interaction and Support
One study found that spending time with friends or family helps release oxytocin, a natural stress reliever whereas another study found that people with the fewest social connections were more likely to suffer from anxiety and even depression.
Enjoying time with your social circle and having support is important especially when feeling stressed or overwhelmed as it can really help promote “feel good” hormones and just help you feel better overall.
7. Stay in the Present
Check in with yourself and ask what’s happening right now? Am I safe? Is there something I can complete on my to-do list? Stress and anxiety can come from future thoughts ahead of us that are not in our control. When these thoughts come up, there are different type of other emotions that can start to build up like worry or fear which can further increase stress and anxiety levels.
Take time to stop, ask yourself questions and remind yourself to stay in the present so that you feel aligned and balanced throughout the day and for the week to come – you will know you are on the right track when you experience peace within you and outside the world around you.
Simply choosing some or all of these seven natural ways to reduce stress and anxiety is a great start towards supporting mental health and an overall sense of well-being.
