Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed but you don’t want to turn to prescription drugs? Try these natural remedies to relax yourself without any nasty side effects.
1. Exercise
You’ve no doubt heard this one before but that’s only because it’s true. Exercise increases the level of norepinephrine in your brain which is a chemical used to deal with stress, not to mention the endorphins that improve your mood immediately. The thing is, any kind of exercise will do so you just have to find one that works for you. If you’re not a big fan of exercise, just take a casual slow walk each day or try something quirky like hula hooping.
2. Warm bath
Do you know why warm baths are relaxing? It’s because heat reduces tension in your muscles which tends to build up when we are stressed, particularly in the shoulders and back. Relieving this tension can make you feel much better immediately. You might even want to go all out with some candles and relaxing music.
3. Get outside
Lying in the sun can actually have the same effect as a warm bath so think about going outside for a while; take a book out there when you need to wind down. Being outside and breathing in fresh air will make you feel more alive and energized. In fact, studies have shown that your cardiovascular and respiratory health are directly affected by how much green space is located around your home.
4. Chamomile
Usually drunk as a tea, chamomile is a mild tranquilizer that calms the nerves, aids sleep and even settles a nervous belly. Drink it when you’re feeling anxious or after a stressful day.
5. Lavender
There’s a reason lavender is a popular ingredient in many aromatherapy products and that’s because it’s a natural relaxant. Just smelling it can calm you down and aid sleep so keep some lavender scents if your stress is preventing you from sleeping.
6. Lemon balm
Unlike other similar herbs such as kava and passion flower, lemon balm doesn’t have any nasty side effects. It is used to calm the nervous system and lower blood pressure.
7. Cut back on caffeine and smoking
If you’re a big smoker or coffee drinker, you may be contributing to your own stress because these things both increase the heart rate so your body basically takes this as an indication that you are in danger, which will make you feel more stressed. Try switching to a healthy herbal tea over coffee and give up the cigarettes – you know they are bad for you anyway.
Give these remedies a try next time you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed and always remember that you have gotten through difficult times before, you can do it again.
Have you tried any of the remedies on this list? Do you know any other great ways to relax or reduce stress?
Sources
Mannino, Brynn. “10 All-Natural Chill Pills.” Woman’s Day. Woman’s Day, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. <http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/stress-management/10-all-natural-chill-pills-114745>
Walters, Jenipher. “Why Getting Outside Is So Good for You.” SparkPeople. Spark People, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. ,http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=1680>
“Wholeliving.” Whole Living. Martha Stewart Living, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. ,http://www.wholeliving.com/135973/best-natural-stress-remedies/@center/136756/stress-relief-your-guided-tour#134811>
Image Courtesy:
“Looking Heavenward” by Lisa Young, Dreamstime <http://www.dreamstime.com/looking-heavenward-free-stock-photos-imagefree241628>
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