Living in such a high-pressure, always-“on,” constantly active culture takes its toll in the form of stress. The latest statistics from the American Institute of Stress show that more than 70 percent of Americans report regularly experiencing physical or psychological symptoms caused by stress.
For your overall health, you must develop and practice ways to reduce stress daily. While some specific stressors will come and go as our circumstances change, stress itself is likely a permanent part of our lives. We need easy techniques for managing stress to minimize damage to our long-term wellbeing.
The next time you feel tense or stressed out, try one of the following 4 simple ways to reduce stress.
1. Exercise
Get moving to help melt away stress. You don’t have to jog a mile; any type of movement will stimulate the release of hormones that make you feel good. So, take a walk around the block, do some gentle stretches, or just do some shoulder and neck rolls at your desk to get the benefit of exercise for stress management.
2. Meditation and breathing
Slowing down and focusing on the present can stave off stress. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and recite a positive mantra (such as “I feel at peace”) or meditate. Research shows that just a few minutes each day of meditation can improve anxiety associated with stress.
3. Laugh
It turns out that laughter really is the best medicine! Find something funny to watch or share laughs and happy memories with a friend. Laughing lowers cortisol (which is your body’s stress hormone) and boosts endorphins in the brain, which lift your mood.
4. Music and aromatherapy
Inundate and engage your senses with music and aromatherapy. Light a paraffin-free candle (with a cotton or paper wick) that’s scented with a soothing essential oil such as lavender, cedarwood, or Roman chamomile.
You may also diffuse essential oils with a blend of ones with calming properties. Try adding 2 drops each to the water: Roman chamomile, lavender, and frankincense.
Put on soft music, such as classical or instrumental spa music (or your favorite music), and enjoy several minutes of quiet taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of relaxation.
Regular Chiropractic Care: A Great Way to Stay Stress-free
Keeping a chiropractic adjustment schedule can be your secret weapon in relieving stress when life gets crazy. Regular chiropractic adjustments keep your nervous system healthy, which helps you fight the effects of anxiety and stress.
We’d love to help you manage stress with regular chiropractic care. Contact us today to schedule your first session with Dr. Susan Knight.