Stress relievers come in many sizes, shapes and manifestations. At one time or another, we all are in need of calling upon them to help us cope, maintain, and manage our stress levels. In the September issue of Prevention magazine, you’ll find a number of helpful natural ways to relieve stress and keep stress triggers at a minimum, helping you to experience a better quality life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This mode of self help will help you to recognize the type of “knee jerk” reactions to the stuff that causes us to engage in a stress response. It’s actually one of the most common types of natural therapies used to manage PTSD, (post traumatic stress disorder). It can involve things like reliving disturbing types of events in small increments that cause stress to emerge. It’s important when using this natural method, to do it under the guidance of a health care professional, however the article states that you can try imposing a stressful feeling upon yourself to assist with diminishing the power stress has over your life by means of feeling until it has less impact.
Break for mindfulness
Mindfulness is one of my very own personal tools for combating stress. It involves engaging your mind fully in the the present moment, taking notice of the sights, sounds and feelings that presently surround you. One of the most effective ways to begin this process is to focus on your breathing. Taking deep, cleansing breaths in and out, while taking notice of the feeling of the air in and beneath your nostrils, following it down the pathway it makes to your lungs and back out again. If you’re near an open window, you can also listen for birds or leaves blowing in the wind. All if these will work together to relieve stress.
Pet therapy
Nurture inner peace by focusing on your pets. A continued study at Walter Reed Army Medical Center indicates that a whopping 82% of PTSD patients that became paired up with a dog had a significant decrease in stress symptoms. Implementing this was so effective it even enabled them to cut back on some of their medications! Never underestimate the power of your pooch!
Aerobic exercise
Nothing relieves stress like a good 30 minute aerobic workout, mentally and physically rejuvenating us, restoring our ability to take on the day. Personally, I couldn’t get by without my daily dose of stress burning aerobics to help me battle my daily responsibilities. Aerobic exercises that involve getting outdoors are touted as the most powerful way to de-stress as indicated in this Prevention article.
Whether you’re trying to decrease medication, or avoid them altogether, you’ll have success by executing these methods into your lifestyle, helping you to achieve the serenity you need to carry out your day.
Live well, think well, enjoy!
