Four Ways To Reduce Stress, Naturally And Easily
July 7, 2009 by Russell Stubbs
Filed under Wellbeing
Our lives are filled with many sources of external stress. The amount of information that we receive and the increased level of communication helps to elevate stress levels. The media consistently remind us that there is lots for us to fear in such uncertain times. For people of all ages, children included, stress has become commonplace.
Stress is one of the main contributing factors in the development of disease and ill health. The changes in chemistry that result from stress affect most bodily systems adversely. Consistent exposure to the biochemistry of stress compromises our immune systems. Over 75 % of visits to the doctor in America are due to a stress related condition, stress has the effect of aging people prematurely.
The good news is, there are simple daily techniques that can be used to reduce stress and bring balance to the system. The key is learning to trigger the opposite branch of the nervous system, to initiate the relaxation response. With regular practice these techniques can be used at any time to reduce stress and calm the system. We all have an amazing self-healing ability, which works most efficiently in the absence of stress.
Deep relaxation of the mind and body, also referred to as meditation, is a healthy habit to form. Research shows that regular deep relaxation/meditation causes positive changes to our brain and genes. This is different to the type of rest that we achieve when sleeping. There are a number of different approaches that can be used. For some, the use of a guided relaxation recording can help in the early stages.
Breathing techniques can also be used to initiate the relaxation response. Breathing exercises have been included within the practices of Yoga, Tai Chi and Chi Gung for thousands of years. There has been a large amount of research confirming the many physiological benefits of focused breathing techniques. It becomes possible to positively influence nervous system activity through the use of breathing techniques.
Acupuncture is a proven tool for the effective relief of stress. Research has shown that for conditions including stress and anxiety acupressure can be even more effective than acupuncture. There are forms of acupressure that can easily be learned and self-applied to reduce stress. Tapping techniques are easy to master and become an effective form of acupressure. Tapping is convenient, quick to use and the results are experienced right away.
A great deal of stress can be generated from fearing the future or dwelling on the past. The best antidote to this form of stress is to practice consistently bringing yourself back into the present moment. There are a number of ways to achieve this and it becomes easier and more natural with practice. An effective technique is to use your senses whilst spending time in nature. Whilst taking a walk in a park or in the countryside try to smell, touch, hear and actually look at what you are experiencing.
It’s hard to completely avoid stress, it’s likely to be part of all of our lives. The key is, just to take a few minutes out of our busy schedules to practice relaxing and calming our systems. These techniques are practices and as the name suggests they get better, the more we use them. In time it becomes easier and more natural to trigger the relaxation response. More and more health benefits to reducing stress are being discovered, so it makes perfect sense to put some effort into switching off.
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