A few simple tips on how to deal with stress
there is way too much stress in our lives. Even for calm, relaxed and balanced people it is sometimes too much. All people who are even less at rest with everyday adversities to fight, stress has a double negative impact. It is true that positive stress helps us to adapt to our environment and thus brings some advantages. However, stress becomes a risk factor when we don’t have a balance and it becomes chronic.
But there are a few ways to deal with stress that we would like to share here:
1. have confidence
knowing that things will get better in the future is a helpful elixir that we must not underestimate. Developments will not always remain negative. It may feel like an eternity or a crazy chain of one low blow to the next. But the future always holds positive surprises for us as well. Time will also bring us better days again. You need to know, feel and expect this. This is important for your mental health. Things will get better. Hope and confidence help us stay/become healthy. Resignation makes you sick.
2. breathe mindfully – practice contemplation
it feels like we hold our breath in stressful situations, just waiting for the next horror to pop up. Take a moment and breathe deeply. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, pay attention to the movement of the air as it flows in and out of your body. Focus on this very moment. Only this moment counts now. Leave any fears about the future behind. This is you breathing in this moment, this is you feeling life, this is you surviving whatever is thrown at you. This way of breathing is a mild form of contemplation. Anxiety, stress hormones and worry are reduced and no longer seem so unmanageable. Do this exercise daily, you will see that it works. For those who are even more interested in breathing: We have deposited a few breathing exercises for you here – follow the link.
3. drink tea – come to rest
tea can be calming, soothing and rejuvenating. Conscious consumption has been shown to be meditative. Tea creates inner warmth and is calming. Enjoy the tea. Feel joy and gratitude for the pleasure. There are hundreds of teas that can reduce your stress, but some of the best herbal teas are: Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Valerian, Passionflower, Turmeric, Basil, Ginger and Matcha. Some of them rely on aromas and exert their effects through revenge and nose to reduce stress (e.g., chamomile, lavender, basil, peppermint). Some contain antioxidants that help with tension and pain, such as turmeric and ginger. Some have natural ingredients that directly affect well-being, such as valerian, passionflower, and matcha green tea. The latter three are very potent, so use them wisely and usually only once or twice a day. Make a ritual of it and enjoy the moment.
4. meditate more – try yoga, for example
there are many ways you can meditate. Try a guided meditation. You can find thousands online for free. Sit or lie down and let the soothing voice guide you to stress relief. Try meditative yoga exercises or daydream again a little more often. You’ll see that after a successful meditation, you’ll smile on the inside and sometimes on the outside.
5. get a massage, (when it is possible again)
social distance, caution, and standoff rules have made it difficult for many of us to experience human touch. Meanwhile, we can get a massage again. Of course, especially now, but really anyway, your massage therapist should follow all necessary safety and hygiene rules. Humans are social creatures, human touch and interpersonal interaction works wonders. Massages relieve tension, stress and anxiety. They improve flexibility, circulation and skin tone. They also support the lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system. Why not try the special experience of an Ayurvedic oil massage?
6. stretching and moving, performing rituals
Yoga, Tai Chi, and other exercises that focus on stretching, soft movements, and breathing combine many of the benefits of massage and meditation. They improve flexibility, circulation, lymphatic circulation and mood. In addition, movement frees us from mental rigidity. Exercise can even prevent and cure disease. In principle, any form of mild exercise reduces stress hormones. But don’t overdo it; intense, performance-oriented exercise also creates stress. Stress hormones are not necessarily a bad thing. They are designed to help you deal with stress. This is very beneficial in a fight or flight situation, but less so if the stress is chronic. Intangible stress that is inescapable and permanent is very harmful to our health. Perhaps the stress cannot always be avoided, but we can learn to deal with it in the right way.
7. exercise again – go for a walk
a walk is one of the easiest and least strenuous forms of exercise. You wouldn’t expect it to reduce stress hormones as effectively as some of the exercises above, but it can. Try a walk in nature or along a road with little traffic and trees. The combination of exercise, fresh air, sounds, smells and colors can improve your mood after just a short time. A walk is able to relieve stress and forget sad thoughts. Let the recreational effect of the forest work for you, take a “forest bath” refreshing for the spirit.
8. use the knowledge of the “Ancient Herb Gardens”
herbs are ancient knowledge. Herbs were used long before modern pharmacology developed its pills. And even modern pharmacology has often relied on this ancient knowledge to do good. In modern herbalism, the active ingredients are called adaptogens. These are biologically active herbs and foods that help the body cope with stress. Ginseng, astragalus, ashwagandha, basil, maca, reishi, gotu kola, eleuthero, rosemary, cordyceps, licorice and turmeric are just a few of them. The potent, colorful array of beneficial herbs is vast. Herbs can be taken as supplements, added to food, or taken as tea. Here’s what’s important to take to heart: Alternate them so your body doesn’t get used to one remedy and stop responding to it.
9. laugh out loud
the popular saying goes: laughter is the best medicine. Maybe not the best, but it has great potential and people have not been wrong about that. The endorphins that are released are pain relieving, stress reducing, relaxing and anti-inflammatory. Laughter relieves stress! You should practice hearty laughter, especially if things are not so funny at the moment. Find a way. Remember the popular saying: if you want something, you’ll find a way; if you don’t want something, you’ll find a reason. Treat yourself to a funny show, a funny routine, or a video call with friends who always make you laugh. Let the laughter flow.
10. deepen a hobby
most of us struggle a bit with time management because our routines are broken. This can make it hard to do things we enjoy. This doesn’t mean watching TV extensively. Do something that feels productive and meaningful to you. Set aside some time at least once a week to focus on something you want to do. Daily would be better, of course. Play an instrument, sing garden, build something, be creative and enjoy the special feeling that only comes from getting better at something you really love. A little closer to happiness are all those who find some time each day to do things that are good for you. Do something good for yourself and above all do it without a guilty conscience.
11. build yourself up
it’s easy to tear yourself down. It’s easy to let negative thoughts get the best of you. Avoid the temptation to criticize yourself for everything and constantly second guess yourself. You are not alone. We all feel these things. We all try to make ends meet in times of crisis. Build yourself up. Say nice things about yourself. Smile about old stories. Remember the nice things, laugh at your little mistakes, and look forward to the good things to come.