The Spring Guide To De-Stressing

The Spring Guide To De-Stressing Photo courtesy of Pixabay. Cleansing activities abound in our society from juice fasts to sauna sweats, we have our pick on how we chose to rid ourselves of poisons. First, however, Id like to focus on getting rid of the root poison that is preventing us from feeling the lightness that spring has to offer: stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month, which begs us to first become aware of what stress really is, and what areas it should influence (or not influence) in our lives. Acute stress, described as good stress, is stress that keeps us on our toes and makes us strive for more; in other words, its a positive motivator. Chronic stress is the type that lingers in our day-to-day life and has negative effects on our health. According to an article featured in  Psychology Today: [Stress]  dampens the immune system and dries out the digestive tract, setting the stage for disorders from irritable bowel syndrome to ulcerative colitis. It impairs  memory  and in extreme cases fuels anxiety. It can even gnaw away at the ends of chromosomes, thereby accelerating cellular aging. In other words, chronic stress can be a serious threat to our well-being, and in our fast-paced world, extremely hard to escape. The following strategies unite the mind and body in combating stress, holding the theory that if the body can suffer due to the effect of stress on the mind, the body and mind must work together in order to relax and revive. De-stressing the Mind Read to Relaxation According to the  Telegraph, just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels by more than two-thirds. Psychologists at mind lab International at the University of Sussex believe that the act of reading forces the mind to concentrate on text and comprehension, causing the reader to essentially escape from a stressful mind. Researchers also reported that reading lowered stress even more than common stress-relievers, such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea. Call Mom New research featured in  Scientific American  reports that hearing your mothers voice can initiate the same biochemical responses as receiving a hug from her. These responses included decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased oxytocinthe feel-good bonding hormonelevels. Usually, oxytocin was thought to come into play only during physical contact; however, Leslie  Seltzer, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Child Emotion Lab and lead author on the study, said in the article, But it’s clear from these results that a mother’s voice can have the same effect as a hug, even if they’re not standing there. Laugh This may seem like a no-brainer, but laughing, whether its with a group of friends or over a cat video on Youtube, leads to decreased cortisol levels,  endorphin release  and a stronger immune system. Accept What You Cannot Control One of the biggest stressors many of us have on a daily basis is the what if? stressor. There is a constant analysis of trivial future events that have no clear answer until its time for them to pass, so why stress about them ahead of time? Our minds become a much freer place when we learn to accept that worrying doesnt change outcomes, it only changes our moods and our health for the worse. One tactic Ive found useful in halting worrying in its tracks is to ask if there is an immediate solution to the problem Im worrying over. For instance, Im worried my paper might be late later in the week seeing as Im so busy. Is there a solution? Yes, I can do the paper right now (even if I have to forfeit a couple hours of sleep) so its out of my mind. Worry ended. Another example: Im worried about not getting the job I applied for last week; I have yet to hear anything and Im dwelling on trivial factors such as, What if I phrased something wrong on my cover letter? and What if I chose the wrong font for the heading? These questions are consuming me at this point, so I stop and ask, Well, what can be done about it? The answer? Nothing. No action can be taken at this point. Therefore, its not only better, but logical, to let it go. De-stressing the Body Garden This might come as a surprise, but gardening has been proven to lower stress levels and aid in relaxation. According to  Health.com, In addition to being a source of fresh, healthy produce, gardening can ease  stress, keep you limber, and even improve your mood. Luckily, urban gardening is all the rage, so dont worry if you dont have a lot of space. A small balcony, a few pots, soil and seeds are all you need to get started. Sip on Kava-kava and Take Adaptogens Kava-kava is one of the top herbs for relaxation, acting as a muscle relaxer and anti-depressant. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form, and can deeply relax you, so be sure to take it in the evening to wind down. Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb, is a potent adaptogen, meaning it minimizes the effects of stress on the body and helps it to cope with stressors. According to  Natural News, The herb has performed as well as or better than some common anxiety medications in studies. The typical dosage is 300-500 mg once or twice daily, so taking a capsule form may be preferred. Indulge Your Inner Yogi Yoga as a whole is excellent for stress relief and loosening tense areas of the body; however, there are a few poses that specifically target stress. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose), according to the  Yoga Journal, Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs, and Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal), Is an excellent way to induce a meditative state of awareness. Both poses, among several others, can be found on their site. Eat Cherries and Celery Celery contains  phthalides, phytonutrients that are known to have a sedative effect, while  cherries  contain  anthocyanins, natural pain relievers, and melatonin, the hormone we produce to relax before sleep. De-stressing tactics shouldnt be utilized as just activities to do and be done with, but as lifestyle routines for obtaining a peaceful mind and sound body. Once these two come together free of chronic stress, we can begin to truly see each day as a new start: a perpetual spring.