Natural Remedies for Stress
with
Cathy Wong
Stress can have many negative effects on our lives. Try these natural stress relief remedies that can reduce the impact of stress and improve your overall well-being.
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Transcript: Natural Remedies for Stress
Hi, I'm Cathy Wong, your guide to Alternative Medicine on About.comFive Natural Remedies for Stress Relief
The journalist Sidney Harris once said, "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." And although many of us know what we could do to relieve stress, acting on it is often the hard part, especially when we can't just drop what we're doing. So here are 5 natural stress relievers you can work into your day.Acupressure for Stress Relief
Instead of using acupuncture needles, acupressure uses finger pressure to stimulate the same pts. Here are 2 pressure pts used for relaxation. The 1st is at the top of your head. You can feel a slight depression. Press gently but firmly there with 1 finger. The 2nd pt is between your eyebrows. Use your other finger to press. Hold both points for up to 3 min.Although nothing replaces the human touch, you can also try a self-massager, like this back cushion by Homedics. It massages pressure pts & muscle knots along the entire back. Massage cushions start at $80, online and in department stores. You place it on your chair and plug it in.
Chamomile Tea for Stress Relief
When we're stressed, we often reach for quick-fixes like coffee or sweets. Why not try a cup of chamomile tea instead? Chamomile tea is believed to promote relaxation & ease digestion. Animal studies suggest chamomile may work in a similar way to anti-anxiety medication.The proper way of making a cup of chamomile tea is this: Use 1 teabag or 2 tsp of chamomile flowers. Add hot but not boiling water. Steep for 5 min and then remove the teabag or strain.
Music for Stress Relief
The idea of using music to soothe and comfort us has been around for ages. Today, clinical trials show that music may help to reduce pain, boost energy, lower heart rate, and decrease anxiety.Classical music is a good choice for stress. Try listening to Mozart while you're working, for focus and calm.
Or choose slow, soft music to fill you with a sense of peace & mental quiet. Instead of music, another option is to put on headphones & listen to comedy on an audio tape or on the radio during your lunch. Laughter increases mood-enhancing chemicals called endorphins, decreases stress hormones, and releases anger and hostility.
Visualization for Stress Relief
Visualization is an easy-to-learn stress reliever. Here's how to do it:- Sit in a comfortable position
- Breathe deeply (which helps to relax muscles and quiet the mind)
- Now imagine a scene that you find calming
Say you're imagining yourself lying on a big cozy blanket by the water. Think of the way the warm breeze feels against your skin. Imagine the scent of fresh-cut grass and sweet flowers around you. See how clear & blue the water is. Listen to the waves as they gently roll into the shore.
The more vivid your image is and the more senses you involve, the more effective it will be.
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Just like the aroma of cookies baking in the oven can make us hungry, the aroma of certain plants may help to calm or energize us. Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses concentrated oils that have been extracted from plants. It has been used in Europe for over 100 years.Aromatherapy can have a profound effect on the nervous system. When oils are inhaled, the molecules go to the top of the nose and send signals to areas of the brain that govern heart rate, breathing, stress, and hormones.
One of the most popular stress-relieving aromas is lavender. Citrus oils, like mandarin or neroli, can help brighten mood & soothe nerves. Add a couple of drops to a handkerchief or tissue and inhale. Consider an aromatherapy diffuser, which disperses particles of oil into the air. Or try making a soothing room spray by adding 8 drops of neroli and 4 drops of lavender to a spray bottle and spritz your room with it.
Other Tips for Stress Relief
If you are experiencing stress, consult a professional. Frequent or intense stress that hinders your daily life may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.Thanks for watching. To learn more about alternative medicine, visit us on the Web at altmedicine.about.com