Stress can happen to any of us, and it can really impact on your quality of life. Dealing with stress can be difficult, especially if you want to manage it in a holistic manner. There are lots of ways to handle stress with a natural approach, so you can ease stressful feelings without turning to medication, alcohol, or other less than healthy options.
1. Meditation.
Meditation isn’t for everyone, but it can be an incredibly effective way to manage stress. You don’t need to spend a long time doing it, as only a few minutes focusing on your breath can be enough to quiet your mind.
Find a quiet, private spot, and sit quietly for a few minutes as you breathe slowly. If thoughts come, just let them go. If you’re struggling to get the hang of meditation, try a guided mediation app. There are hundreds out there, so you’re bound to find one that suits you.
The other advantage of meditation is that when you’ve learned to do it, you can use the breathing exercises to relax anywhere, at any time, such as while waiting to go into a job interview.
2. Try CBD oil.
CBD oil is cannabinoid oil, with the THC removed. It doesn’t get you high, but many people find it very useful for managing stress and anxiety. CBD has become very popular recently to manage all kinds of conditions.
If you decide to try it, make you buy from a safe, reliable source, as regulations for the oil are still being worked on.
3. Yoga.
Yoga is ideal for stress relief. Like meditation, there is a lot of focus on the breath, which is a fantastic way to calm down. If you’re concentrating on moving through a series of yoga poses, you can’t worry about something else, making it a healthy distraction.
Start your day with a yoga session so you start out calm, or unwind before bed with some gentle yoga to help you fall asleep and get more restful sleep.
4. Reduce your caffeine intake.
Caffeine can be tricky with stress. A small amount of caffeine can actually be helpful for managing stress and anxiety, but too much can end up just exacerbating the problem.
If you’re a bit of a coffee fiend and find you’re always stressed, this could be why. Cut back your caffeine intake slowly so you can find the right amount for you, without giving yourself withdrawal symptoms.
Avoid caffeine in the evenings and late afternoon, so it won’t keep you awake at night.
5. Keep a journal.
Journaling is often prescribed by therapists as a treatment for stress, and for good reason. Bottling up stress is very unhealthy, but we don’t always feel able to talk about it. If this is you, try writing it down instead.
Nobody but you ever has to see it, but you’ve still got those feelings out. Seeing them in black and white can also help you to see your worries in a more rational light, allowing you to let go of worries you don’t need.
