Addressing Stress Part Two - When Moving to the Moon Isn't an Option
Stress isn’t going to go away. It’s a part of life and to ask you to eliminate stress is to ask you to move to the moon. How you CHOOSE to RESPOND to the stress, is within your realm of control. For today, consider 3 quick stress management keys:
1. Deep Breathing while using a few finger holds. Chuckle. Yes, that finger!!!
Taking a moment out of your busy life will not make the earth spin out of control. I give you permission to take 20 minutes to relax, place your interlaced fingers over your chest and breathe deeply. Better yet, hold the thumb of one hand with the other hand and move through each digit, holding it for about 3 minutes or 36 breaths while choosing calming, peaceful thoughts. It calms the body and helps to balance emotions of worry, fear, anger, grief and lack of joy. You may even find that it harmonizes body systems and organs.
Interestingly, holding your middle finger while breathing deeply, may help to alleviate anger and rage versus intensifying your rage along with someone else's rage when holding it in the air with a forceful thrust. Not a wise choice.
2. Soothing, calming tea/herb choices
A few of my favorite tea choices for de-stressing include Chamomile, Passion Flower, and Catnip.
Chamomile is not only a great nervine, meaning it strengthens the functional activity of the nervous system, it is also invigorating and strengthening to the entire body and great for circulation. If you are allergic to Ragweed, you'll want to consider avoiding it.
Passion Flower is known for its ability to act as a pain killer, anti-inflammatory, may help with high blood pressure, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, even hot flashes.
Catnip really is for people too. In times past it was used for normalizing blood pressure and it was also told that putting several drops of catnip on the back of the tongue will decrease the desire for cigarettes. It was also used for addictions, fevers, insomnia, nervousness and as a pain reliever.
Somehow, wrapping my hands around a hot cup of tea while relaxing in a comfy chair, can put a new perspective on an old situation. Peacefulness comes when I take time to evaluate my choices, my responsibilities and my boundaries.
Nature’s Sunshine carries them in capsule form allowing you to take as is or making them into a tea. They can be purchased at wholesale by visiting the Affiliates Page.
3. Avoid Caffeine and Sugar - Increase Nuts, Seeds, Whole Fruits and Veggies
Have you ever noticed that when you’re stressed you crave junk food, sugar, and caffeine? Sugar and caffeine may give you a super quick “pick up” but they will also cause a quick drop causing a yo-yo affect adversely affecting adrenal health in the process. Indulging in the comfort of the carbs, will cause more stress, tight clothing, weight gain, and a myriad of health issues. Instead, grab a handful of nuts and seeds to increase your essential fatty acid intake.
Whole fruits and veggies that involve lots of chewing is also a stress reducer.
FDA: Food. Drink. Air. They make nice essentials you can trust.