Some days are more likely to guarantee peak stress. What if, rather than giving in to a stressful day, we learn to restore calm, and prioritize our mental health? Below we share some soothing remedies to free ourselves from negative thoughts related to stress, and how to avoid being overwhelmed by emotions before these times of anxiety.
Deep breathing
If you wake up feeling anxious, remain in bed for a moment and begin your day with deep belly breathing. Imagine inflating your stomach like a balloon and inhaling through your nose to increase the oxygen supply, and better focus on the tasks at hand. Exhale through your mouth, which helps to de-stress, regulate body temperature, and relax muscles. Really focus on the exhale, as experts say it’s the most important part when trying to relax, often stating a longer exhale is beneficial. Breathing through the nose also slows down breathing because it offers more resistance, which has a direct effect on the nervous system.
Bring your attention back to your senses
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reconnect through simple sensory meditation. Take a few moments to focus on what you can see, hear, smell, taste and feel. Each time you return to your thoughts, gently bring your attention back to your senses.
Get Moving
If your body is tense, get up and move. Try jumping jacks or do a little dancing, even if you feel silly. According to traditional Chinese medicine, we have energy channels, chakras in our body that are related to our well-being. When we are stressed, the energy gets stuck. Imagine a clenched fist where nothing circulates. Open it up and notice how smooth it is. Shake up your system with your favorite upbeat music, de-stress and exercise.
Be Grateful
We think about so much each day, and even more on a stressful day. Focus on what you’re grateful for to guide your thoughts towards positivity. Write down three things you’re grateful for each morning when you wake up – it could be the weather, your love life, an upcoming vacation, or a new skill you’ve learned. Note: handwriting is much better than typing.
Essential oils
Nearly 75% of all emotions generated every day are due to smells. Research shows that mood improves by 40% after being exposed to pleasant scents. Since the olfactory nerve is directly linked to the area of the brain that accesses memory, mood and emotions, it makes sense to use it to feel good. Diffuse your favorite essential oil as you prepare for the day, with oils such as:
- Lemon (promotes energy and is a natural mood booster)
- Grapefruit (refreshing, can help overcome the “blues”)
- Spearmint (naturally relieves mental tension and fatigue)
- Lavender (relaxing and promotes a feeling of well-being)
The next time you wake up and feel like it’s going to be a stressful day, try and remember these tips, as they’re good for stress management.
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