Five Natural Remedies For Managing Stress

isStress is a normal part of everyday life, but it can engender a hugely varied reaction dependent on each individual person.

In simple terms, stress is caused by your body reacting to changes in your environment with emotional, physical and emotional responses.

Around three-quarters of all visits to the doctor are for stress-related problems, while research has shown that stress costs businesses in America over $300 billion every year.

Stress can be both positive and negative.   It is the latter which causes the biggest issue from a health perspective.

Symptoms from negative stress can include, but are not limited to, problems sleeping, high blood pressure, chest pain and headaches.

Stress impacts your immune system and often leaves sufferers feeling run-down, worried or unable to cope with daily life.

However, there are numerous ways you can take control of your stress levels to ensure that they don’t have a negative impact on your health.

Read on as we look at five natural remedies for managing stress.

Get more exercise

Numerous research studies have shown that exercising regularly can have a major impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.

When you exercise your body releases endorphins which lift your mood and help to reduce anxiety levels. This usually happens within minutes of undertaking exercise.

In addition to positively impacting on stress levels, endorphins can also help to reduce weight and boost self-esteem.

Research has also shown that exercise can also help to alleviate depression, further highlighting the benefits of an active lifestyle.

James Blumenthal, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at Duke University.  He says the evidence relating to the positive impact of exercise in respect of managing stress-related conditions is too powerful to ignore.

“There’s good epidemiological data to suggest that active people are less depressed than inactive people,” he said.

“And people who were active and stopped tend to be more depressed than those who maintain or initiate an exercise program. Exercise seems not only important for treating depression, but also in preventing relapse.”

Try CBD oil

There is a growing amount of research evidence that says CBD oil is a hugely effective treatment for stress-related ailments.

High levels of stress hormones can cause numerous health problems.  CBD has been proven to successfully manage the symptoms.

Many professional sports stars have switched on to the benefits of CBD.  They use it to help with recovery, get better sleep and control stress levels.

A top CBD oil for 2019 is manufactured by cbdMD and their director of public relations, Dillon Kivo, says the product is a great way for people to manage stress.

“Although research is still in the early stages, there seems to be support behind the idea that CBD can be utilised to help aid mental functions, as well as work to reduce overall stress,” he told ESPN.

“The idea is that CBD helps calm some of those intense bodily responses that may result in further health complications, all while working to naturally relax the mind and body.”

Although there is still some way to go regarding the regulation of CBD, it is clear that it is an excellent natural remedy for managing stress.

Use relaxation techniques

Finding the time to relax can seem like an impossible task.  This is especially true with work, family, friends and more placing huge demands on your time.

However, introducing a few small changes into your daily routine can make a massive difference to your health and wellbeing.

Practicing mindfulness allows you to relax your mind and body, effectively pressing the ‘pause button’ and allowing you to refocus.

Lisa Kaplin is a psychologist and women’s empowerment coach.  She believes that building time for relaxation into your routine is the key to happy and healthy life.

“I tell women to look for small opportunities for relaxation,” she told Oprah Magazine. “Fifteen minutes at lunch, an hour before bedtime, a few hours on the weekend.

“It’s the ‘pay ourselves first’ concept. If we relax and take care of ourselves first, the rest will easily fall into place. If not, we won’t show up the way we want to and we will never feel rested.”

Yoga, a walk in the park or a relaxing bath are other great natural ways to negate the effects of negative stress.

Buy a pet

Researchers at Washington State University found that spending just a few minutes with a pet can help to reduce stress.

The study revealed that students who had direct contact with the animals had significantly lower cortisol levels than those who had none.

Patricia Pendry, an associate professor in WSU’s Department of Human Development, said: “Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact.

“Students in our study that interacted with cats and dogs had a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone.

“We already knew that students enjoy interacting with animals, and that it helps them experience more positive emotions.

“What we wanted to learn was whether this exposure would help students reduce their stress in a less subjective way.

“And it did, which is exciting because the reduction of stress hormones may, over time, have significant benefits for physical and mental health.”

Sleep stress away

Feeling stressed can have a negative impact on your sleep.  Not getting enough sleep can leave you even more stressed – it’s a classic Catch 22 situation.

The time you spend in the deep, restorative sleep needed to properly recharge your batteries is likely to be reduced, making you even more susceptible to stress the following day.

Ross Levin, Ph.D, is a clinical psychologist and behavioural sleep specialist in New York. He says that in order to maintain restful sleep people should go to bed in a deactivated state.

“Breathing, guided imagery, mental and physical relaxation techniques, and mindful meditation are some of the many tools one can employ,” he said.

“But the key to stilling the night mind is by tending to the mind when awake. Take regular breaks, deeply breathe often, exercise, eat well, and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

“Try to avoid excessive stimulation in the evening, especially the use of electronics. Sufficient wind-down time prior to sleep is often critical here.

“And never go to bed unless you’re sleepy, not just tired. The stronger the sleep drive, the more restful the sleep.”