Do you ever get so stressed that all you want to do is run away to a far far place where there is no one around but you. No sound, no one talking at you, no phone that rings off the hook, and no computer that notifies you with a cheery notification tone every time an email comes in, every two minutes.
You want to be in a place that is quiet and peaceful and completely detached from your normal surroundings, but you just can’t afford a vacation right now, and with all your responsibilities you can’t even take a couple of days off to just get away.
Statistics show that stress, anxiety and depression is something an increasing number of north Americans experience every day. The scary thing is that just now researchers have found how much havoc and damage to your system ongoing stress can actually cause, both physically and mentally. Stress make your blood acidic and causes inflammatory reactions in your body that can lead to anxiety disorder, depression, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritic disorders, respiratory problems, diabetes, and many many more. The number one state too much stress can and with time will lead to is UN-HAPPINESS!
This is huge.
So what can we do to minimize the impact stress can have on us? How can we counter the effects of it on our poor body and mind?
- Exercise
- Food
- Meditation
1. Exercise: Even as little as 20 minutes of exercises 4-6 times per week can significantly lower your stress levels or your coping mechanism with stress. If you can’t get to the gym for a workout with weights , or for cardio, or a fun group class, try to at least go for a brisk walk every day. The fresh air will do you good as well.
Yoga is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety and elongate your muscles while increasing strength and flexibility.
If you are not sure which exercise will work best for you, contact us for an Ayurvedic constitution analysis and we can help you get on the right track without creating more stress to your system.
2. Food: It is shown that the consumption of anti-oxidant rich food is a factor in how we respond to stress. The most anti-oxidant rich foods are found in the fruit- and vegetable family. Blueberries, blackberries, acai and goji berries are found to be very high in anti-oxidants that prevent free radical damage to our cells. So is the Amalaki, the Indian goose berry, which is found to be the fruit highest in naturally occurring Vitamin C.
Important vitamins and minerals are also found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach etc. Try and eat a new fruit or vegetable every week. Experiment with colours. Make sure your plate is packed with different greens, oranges (peppers), purple (ever tried eggplant?), red (tomatoes), and yellows (Yellow peppers).
You will be happy to hear that pure dark chocolate has found to be one of the leading sources of anti-oxidants. J
3. Meditation: One of the most important benefits of meditation is how it releases stress from our bodies. Meditation practiced regularly will lead you to a deeper level of relaxation and contemplation. If you want to be free of constant worry, pressure and stress the benefits of meditation can give you a life that is calm, peaceful, happy and relaxed. Even ten minutes of meditation a day will help alleviate stress.
Some of the benefits of meditation are:
Reduces anxiety attacks as it lowers the levels of blood lactate. Builds self confidence. Increases serotonin which influences moods and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, headaches and insomnia. Enhances energy, strength and vigour. Helps keep blood pressure normal Reduces stress and tension Creates a state of deep relaxation and general feeling of wellbeing Helps with P.M.T. Increases concentration and strengthens the mind Helps reduce heart disease Helps with weight loss
If you practice regularly, the benefits of meditation will promote a sense of calm and control, you’ll feel far more relaxed and happy. Your ability to concentrate will be greater. You won’t become stressed about things and you’ll feel more peaceful and relaxed about everything. One of the greatest benefits of meditation is learning to go with the flow and things that used to irritate you before simply become insignificant.
These are probably the most important and well-known stress fighters available to us on a day-to-day basis. Regular exercise and meditation practices, as well as eating right, can help to prevent stress before it happens and also help us cope and deal as we are going through a bout of extra demand on our bodies and minds.
Please contact us with any questions or to let us help you create a plan that will keep you less affected by everyday stressors.
We would love to hear how you are dealing with stress, please leave a comment below.
