Life can be stressful, and stress can have serious repercussions on our health.
At one time or another, many of us will have experienced that sense of being overwhelmed. Especially with all that happening around the world at the moment, these feelings may be amplified.
Sometimes it’s not until we experience the physical/mental symptoms of stress that we realise just how stressed we have been.
Physiologically speaking, stress triggers the autonomic nervous system, leading to a spike in the release of epinephrine and cortisol — the “stress hormones.”
Too much epinephrine can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes); too much cortisol can affect our health in numerous ways— increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and constricting blood vessels.
Reducing stress levels is vital for longevity and living a happy life!
Life is too short not to be lived to its full potential.
Below is a list of tools I implemented to alleviate stress and return harmony within my body and mind.
Meditation
Meditation has been scientifically proven to help alleviate stress after just eight weeks of regular practice.
Numerous studies have shown that mindfulness and meditation is an effective stress-management tool, ultimately reprogramming the brain to the extent that meditators end up with more capacity to manage stress!
Your mental health, thoughts and mind frame are extremely important. Your thoughts create your reality, so it makes sense to fill your mind with positive ones! If you’re wanting to learn more about meditation, click here to read our blog post that dives into it!
If you’re looking for a stress-reducing meditation check out our Nurcha Meditation.
We also stock a range of meditation cushions, props and tools in-store to enhance your practice.
Eat Mood-Boosting & Body Loving Foods
Diet is linked to just about every condition the human body deals with – so, it makes sense that diet is linked to your mood and stress levels, too!
Eating whole foods, plant-based diet has been shown to decrease stress, boost mood as well as of health benefits, including reducing your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, obesity, diabetes and cognitive decline.
In addition to whole food plant-based diet, eating healthfully is the best thing for your body and mind. Slowing down, taking a breath and mindfully enjoying your food will calm your body to properly absorb the nutrients from the food.
Go For a Walk
Getting outside and into nature is one for the most simple and effective way to alleviate stress, so lace up your walking shoes and head outside!
Going for a walk places your mind and body into a meditative state, releases mood-boosting endorphins and decreases your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Taking deep conscious breaths and focusing on what’s around you will bring you back into the present moment and out of your head.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to combat stress.
It might seem contradictory, but putting physical stress on your body through exercise can relieve mental stress.
The benefits are strongest when you exercise regularly. It has been proven that people who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety than those who don’t exercise.
Not only will exercise leave you feeling amazing but it will meet new people and getting out of your comfort zone can have a ripple of positive benefits also!
Yoga
Yoga has become a popular method of stress relief, health and well-being activity and exercise among all age groups.
While yoga styles differ, most share a common goal — to join your body and mind.
Yoga primarily does this by increasing body and breath awareness.
Research has found that yoga can enhance mood and may even be as effective as antidepressant drugs at treating depression and anxiety.
Click here to read our blog post Why You Should Start Practicing Yoga Today.
Burn Palo Santo & Sage
Palo Santo:
Palo Santo literally means ‘holy wood’ in Spanish. It has an exquisite aroma with a hint of pine, mint and lemon. Palo Santo is enjoyed by many for it’s energetically cleansing and healing properties. Palo Santo is traditionally used for relieving common colds, flu symptoms, stress, asthma, headaches, anxiety, depression, inflammation, emotional pain and more. Click here to purchase.
White Sage:
White sage (sometimes known as sacred sage) is highly valued as a ceremonial and ritualistic plant and is deemed to have great spiritual and emotional and cleansing properties and is now used by many people for this purpose.Tradition suggests that smudging can literally lift one’s spirits to banish negativity. Click here to purchase.
Consider supplements
Several supplements promote stress and anxiety reduction.
Here is a brief overview of some of the most common ones (all products listed can be purchased online or in-store at Nurcha) :
Essential Oils: Among the countless benefits of essential oils. One of their most appealing attributes is that they can be used to create a calming atmosphere and promote feelings of peace and harmony.
When you have had a long, stressful day, or when you want to combat anxious feelings, calming essential oils provide a quick, natural way for you to create a calm environment that will put you at ease.
Lavender, Frankincense, Lemongrass & Ylang Ylang are just a few essential oils that are well-known for their stress-relieving qualities.
Magnesium: Research has found that magnesium may help with brain functions that reduce stress and anxiety.
Medicinal Mushrooms: There is a range of Medicinal Mushrooms that are known to assist the body to return to homeostasis and reduce stress! Click here to read our blog post on Medicinal Mushrooms.
Ashwagandha: A is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat stress and anxiety with several studies suggest that it’s effective.
Herbal Tea: Tea’s such as Green Tea contains many polyphenol antioxidants which provide health benefits. It may lower stress and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels.
Do something kind for yourself
What’s something that brings you pure joy? Maybe a yoga class or a massage? Perhaps you rich a point of bliss while painting or playing music, whatever it may be, make it a priority to do something kind for yourself as much as you can!
At the end of the day, you and your health are a priority! We hope these tips help you and if you have any other stress-busting tips we would love to hear from you. Email us or send us a message on our social media platforms to get in contact with us today!
Much love,
The Nurcha Tribe x
