5 easy ways to reduce daily stress

 

 

 

Get a good night’s sleep

Our body normally gets rest and restoration during our sleep time. Making sure that you get some restful sleep is important in building resilience to deal with daily stress. While we can get caught in this vicious cycle of being too stressed and not being able to sleep, hence waking up tired because we got no sleep and so on and so forth, there are ways to begin restoring your sleep rhythm. Try going to bed early, avoid exposure to blue light 2 hours before sleep, eat you last meal 2 hours before bed, and engage in some deep, relaxed breathing and grounding before bed. To ensure the proper amount of rest (7-8 hours), set an alarm reminding you to go to bed.

Breathe

While breathing is an autonomic function of the body (meaning we do not have to think about it to do it), we often breathe too fast and too shallow to receive the benefits of the breath. Deep breathing can be very healing, promotes relaxation of the nervous system, restores energy and brings about mental clarity. When you slow down your breathing and take intentional and longer full breaths and exhales we not only relieve stress, but we also build resilience. Practicing some 4-7-8 breathing or some Heart Focused Breathing can help us create new healthy habits of breathing.

Guided Imagery

Guided Imagery or Guided Meditations are some of the easiest and fastest ways to find relaxation. It is interested to note that the mind does not know the difference between reality and visualization, so when you close your eyes and image you are at the beach – you are really there! Positive, relaxing images can be an effective tool for relieving stress. Try it for yourself with these Guided Visualizations  from my YouTube channel.

Move & Dance

One of the easiest and fun ways for the body to relieve stress is to release endorphins through exercise and movement. This can range from taking a walk outdoors, dancing in your living room, doing some yoga, dancing professionally and a myriad other ways to move and release energy through the body. I do enjoy a good set of yoga poses, where I start with standing tall and founding my groundedness and then move on to stretches and flowing poses, engaging the breath and feeling the life-force traversing my body. It helps me feel strong and connected but also relaxes my body as I engage in different ways to stand, shake and move. At the end of my yoga sessions, I can feel the elevated breath and how it has awakened every part of my body and mind. You can also try a shaking dance to let go of excess tension and energy.  Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shoulders relaxed, and shake your whole body for a few minutes; 5-7 minutes is a good amount of time. When you stop, take note of your breathing and physical sensations.

Eat Well!

As someone who was born and raised in the Mediterranean, good food has always been the cornerstone of feeling well and joyful. Not only does good nutrition give our body what it needs to be healthy, but eating with family and friends brings a sense of community and well-being. It has been proven that eating whole, real foods restores balance and reduces the effects of stress on your body. Equally, replacing harmful substances such as alcohol, and refined sugars, with clean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats helps regulate your hormone levels, including stress hormones. Did you know that the gut has it’s own neuro connections and that the brain and gut are in constant communication with each other? Keeping your gut healthy can definitely promote longevity and joyful living. If you are looking for some wholesome and delicious ways to support your diet you can peruse my Mediterranean Infused, seasonal and allergen friendly, Cookbook.

Nourishing Blessings,