TOP 10 WAYS TO DE-STRESS NATURALLY

Are you stressed out and looking for natural stress relief?

Surf no further for the following are the top 10 non-toxic relaxation techniques.


1. Breathe
Abdominal breathing is a very simple but effective, natural relaxation technique. Therefore, take a very deep breath through your nose until you feel your abdomen rising, hold it for a few seconds and then exhale completely. Repeat several times and you will begin to feel relaxed as the deep breaths counter your body’s stress response.

Breathe deeply to de-stress on an exercise mat

2. Bathe
Warm aromatherapy baths are effective stress relief activities because the warm water helps relax stiff muscles while the essential oils soothe your mind. Therefore, run a warm bath at the end of each rough day to help you relax and add 15 drops of lavender essential oil or calming chamomile bath salts to heighten your feelings of relaxation.

Lavender and chamomile bath salts can help you de-stress

3. Bask 
Basking in the sun is an effective natural stress management technique since exposure to sunlight increases the levels of serotonin in the body. This serotonin, which is a mood lifting hormone, imparts a feeling of emotional well being and helps you feel relaxed. Therefore, buy sunscreen and a hammock, if your accommodation can accommodate it, and schedule 15 minutes to indulge in this passive relaxation techniques as you sit in the sun to synthesize serotonin.

Bask on a hammock to de-stress naturally

4. Stretch 
Stretching exercises are very important exercises for managing stress naturally because stress increases muscle tension while stretching reduces it. Therefore, join a gym or buy a book or rent a DVD and learn how to stretch all your muscle groups correctly. Then schedule 10 minutes of stretching in the morning and evening paying special attending to the muscles that you tense when you are stressed whether they are your neck or lower back muscles. 

Stretching to de-stress

5. Sleep
Sleep rests the mind and rejuvenates the body. Therefore, schedule 8 to 10 hours each night of uninterrupted sleep to avoid sleep deprivation and its resultant stressing mistakes and mishaps. It you feel drowsy during the day, a power nap of not more than 20 minutes can be the perfect after lunch pick-me-up indulgence.

Sleep with lavender eye pillows to de-stress

6. Visit 
Visit nurturing mother nature and let her healing greens, soothing blues, beautiful flora and pacifying sounds which are known to relax to the mind help you manage stress naturally. Therefore, carve out time from your tight, stressful schedule of looming deadlines and breaking news to escape to a countryside or a hike trail or an animal park.

Visit nature in hiking boots to de-stress

7. Listen 
Listening to music is another naturally effective stress management technique since music has the power to soothe distressed minds, encourage dispirited spirits and raise depressed feelings. Therefore, schedule 1 hour to listen to your favorite genre of music from the radio or your ipod or online and indulge in this enjoyable relaxation technique especially when you need to tune out your stressors whether you are working, walking or trying to fall asleep.

Listen to relaxing music to de-stress

8. Laugh 
Laughter is another naturally effective stress management technique for research proves that it reduces stress hormones and increases endorphins which are the body’s “feel good hormones”. The Bible corroborates these medical findings for it tells us that a merry heart is just as good as medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) Therefore, buy joke books or rent comedy DVDs and schedule 30 minutes of laughter into your timetable to indulge in this funny relaxation technique and you will definitely feel better even if your stressful situation has not improved since you cannot be amused and upset at the same time.

Enjoy Christian friendly comedy to de-stress

9. Adopt 
Cats, dogs, fish, birds and other pets which offer nonjudgmental adoration, admiration and companionship are especially beneficial in helping lonely people and those who live alone manage stress. Therefore, buy or adopt a pet whose needs and character are compatible with your lifestyle and schedule 10 minutes each day to indulge in this nurturing relaxation technique as you pet your pet and you will feel less stressed and lower your blood pressure naturally.

Adopt a pet to de-stress

10. Brew
Home brewed herbal teas are the perfect, natural drinks to sip when stressed since they can help you relax without intoxicating you. Therefore, if you need a drink to melt tension, steep chamomile flowers in boiled water for 15 minutes, sweeten with honey and then drink it warm.

Adapted from Rules of Relaxation by Dr. Miriam Kinai



For more info read Laughter, the Funny Stress Management Technique.


Christian Stress Management