Four helpful ways to reduce stress

FOUR TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS.

Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realise it. You may think illness is to blame for that nagging headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the culprit.

Common effects of stress

Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can give you a jump on managing them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Common effects of stress on your body

·         Headache

·         Muscle tension or pain

·         Chest pain

·         Fatigue

·         Change in sex drive

·         Stomach upset

·         Sleep problems

Common effects of stress on your mood

·         Anxiety

·         Restlessness

·         Lack of motivation or focus

·         Feeling overwhelmed

·         Irritability or anger

·         Sadness or depression

Common effects of stress on your behavior

·         Overeating or undereating

·         Angry outbursts

·         Drug or alcohol abuse

·         Tobacco use

·         Social withdrawal

·         Exercising less often

 

Four simple things we can implement today to minimise stress:

1.      Floatation Tanks – The basic concept is that floating reduces external stimuli as much as possible to help the body achieve a natural restorative state. Some people compare the experience of floating to meditation or yoga. It’s been scientifically proven to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, help reduce pain and inflammation and to improve sleep. Sessions can be a little expensive but even just one per month will have a great effect.

 

2.      Meditation – Meditation is mind without agitation and it allows people to take charge of their own nervous system and emotions. Studies have shown improved ability to permanently regulate emotions in the brain. Ease into it with as little as 5 minutes per day, using a guided app such as Headspace or Calm.

 

3.      Walking – get outside, enjoy the fresh air and move. It increases your heart rate which helps strengthen your heart and lungs, improves circulation and clears your mind. Even as little as 20 mins per day has been perceived to have an effect on stress levels.

 

4.      Pilates – even as little as 10 mins per day has been shown to reduce the effects of stress (along with lots of other benefits as well!). Moving the body, focussing on breath and accessing the mind – body connection all helps to have a calming effect on both our mind and body.