Natural Stress & Anxiety Relief

Stress and anxiety are feelings of unease with triggers that vary from one person to another. Stress arises from frustrating thoughts and situations. Anxiety causes distress with feelings of fear and apprehension. Too much stress and anxiety is harmful to our health. Anxiety becomes problematic when you begin to feel overwhelmed. Extended periods of stress affect your body's defense mechanism. Here are some tips to help you naturally relieve the symptoms of stress and anxiety.These conditions can lead to heart disease, depression, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Stress Tips

• Listen to slow monotonous music as a way to relieve stress. Music with repetitive rhythms helps to calm nerves

  Crate a personal bathroom spa by lighting candles and drawing a hot bath. Add calming bath salts or essential oils (lavender or chamomile work well) to the water. Close the door and soak for relaxation.

  Positively affirm yourself daily with encouraging thoughts and spoken words. Mentally block negative thoughts that increase stress.

  Let go of all the unnecessary things in your life. Finding balance in daily living helps significantly reduce stress levels.

  Daily meditating minimizes stress and its effects. It helps you to establish a state of happiness and leaves you feeling rested

  Pilates and yoga are widely accepted as stress relief exercises. They are both equally meditative. The breathing techniques help to lower heart rate.

Anxiety Tips

• Passion flower is a plant used for relieving anxiety. It helps calm the nerves and can be prepared as a tea. Uplift your spirits by drinking tea made from bergamot. It helps provide you with happy thoughts and warm feelings. The scent of roses has been widely used to bring about joyful and romantic feelings. Take a bath using rosewater to calm anxious feelings. Lavender and sandalwood oil are known for calming effects. They can be placed in bathwater, or inhaled to help calm feelings of anxiety. The scent of lemons and limes also induces happy productive feelings. They prevent feelings of exhaustion, which have been attributed to anxiety.