We face stress in our everyday lives, but how we respond to it can really change how it affects us. It’s good to have some coping strategies that make you feel more relaxed and handle the stress more effectively. Knowing which natural stress-reducing strategies work for you will help you feel less stress without the need for medication.
Different strategies will work for different people, but here are some commonly effective natural ways to reduce stress.
Meditation
Sitting in silence, forgetting your worries, and only focusing on your breathing is one of the simplest ways to relax your mind. When practiced regularly, meditation can literally change the way your brain responds to stress, making it easier to manage when stressors arise in the future. It can take some getting used to, especially if you usually have a busy mind, so get some tips on how to meditate here.
Exercise
Exercise has lots of benefits for your mental health as well as your physical health. Exercising prompts your body to release endorphins, which are known for boosting your mood and relieving pain. It also helps to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Plus, regular exercise can help you sleep better at night, which you may normally have problems with if you experience high levels of stress.
Massage
Physical touch reduces cortisol and also increases oxytocin, which can also reduce stress and boost happiness. This is just one of the stress-busting benefits of massage. It also relieves tension in your muscles, which can both be caused by and contribute to stress. In general, massage is a relaxing treatment and can help to improve sleep, which can also improve stress levels, in turn.
Laughter
Laughter is the best medicine. It helps you relax both physically and mentally, reducing physical tension in your body that can be caused by stress while relieving feelings and emotions related to stress. When you’re feeling stressed, spend time with friends who make you laugh or put on your favorite sitcom or comedy film.
Pet therapy
Unless you’re someone who hates animals, spending time with them has been found to drastically reduce stress levels along with lots of other mental and physical health benefits. Take your dog for a walk or have a snuggle with your cat when you’re feeling stressed. If you don’t have any pets, then maybe you can visit someone who does or volunteer for a local animal shelter.
If you struggle to manage your stress levels, then try the natural stress-busting techniques discussed here and see how you feel. Get in touch with Moonstone Massage for more information about the many health benefits of massage, and book an appointment with us online when you’re ready.