Stress can feel like it’s just an everyday, normal emotion, can’t it? Our everyday lives are so full of deadlines, pressures and tension that it can feel unusual to be un-stressed.
While it’s true that some level of stress is good for us in that it keeps us alert, motivated and resilient, if stress becomes a chronic, long-term emotion, then it can have poor consequences for our health.
Chronic stress can interfere with many aspects of our physical and emotional health putting us at an increased risk of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, poor sleep, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and strokes.
So doing all we can to keep our stress levels manageable is important for our overall wellbeing. In honor of National Stress Awareness Day this November 3rd, here’s our tips for managing stress…
1. Be more active
Exercise not only burns calories; it helps to burn nervous energy which can help to make stress seem less intense and more manageable. Where possible, exercise as much as you can outside by taking walks, going for a run, or dusting off that bicycle. The Great Outdoors helps to boost our emotional wellbeing and release feel good endorphins, that can help to relieve stress
2. Consider mushrooms
No, not hallucinogenic ones, but medicinal mushrooms such as Wulinshen. Wulinshen is a fungus that when taken as a supplement in the evening helps to restore calmness and stillness by promoting the release of an amino acid called GABA that helps us drift into a restorative, stress-busting slumber.
3. Connect with people that lift your spirts
And if you can, avoid the ones that drain you of energy. Spending time with people that allow us to be heard, make us laugh, don’t judge our beliefs or desires, and just make us feel good is so cathartic. Dedicate your time to these people and gradually brush off those who do the opposite.
4. Believe in the power of flowers and herbs
You know we love our herbal remedies at Nature Restore so we just had to include this one! Teas can be a very soothing and relaxing way to unwind after a stressful day. Chamomile and lavender both have relaxing properties when used as a herbal infusion or tea and drunk before bed. Plus there's just something about a warm beverage on a cool night to help you unwind.
5. Plan ahead
Be that for work, the kid’s school, meal prepping, exercising, or booking in to see those wonderfully uplifting people in your life. Having a plan can help to make things feel less overwhelming and also gives you things to focus on that you know you’re going to enjoy.
6. Write a gratitude diary
Recording all the positive things you’re grateful for each day can be wonderfully uplifting and may help to ease tension by serving as a reminder of all the things you’re lucky to have in your life. Aim to write down three positive things each day. They can even be as small as a person that smiled at you in line for coffee.
7. Talk to someone
If you’re struggling and stress is significantly interfering with your enjoyment of life, opening up can help. Any trusted person can prove helpful, from a close friend, a family member, or even your colleague at work or family doctor. As long as you can be honest and open to lighten the weight of that stressful topic. Sharing helps!
