|
Take this small test and see if you have stress in your life:
If you answer 2 or more yes, analyze your situation. Recognizing stress and taking timely steps to alleviate it can protect you against health problems in the future.
Do you feel irritated and hurried?
Do you have trouble concentrating?
Do you have a hard time listening to others?
You don't take time out for pleasure and have fun?
You can't rest at night and thoughts are constantly running through your mind?
Situations that occur in daily life may cause people to feel irritated, threatened or anxious; a set of emotions that are collectively referred to as "stress". Many people become stressed when they are involved with conflicts, over-worry about problems such as money, children, marriage or a person seems pressed for time.
The body interprets these pressures as a threat to life and in response the pituitary gland signals to adrenal glands to release adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. All hormones that help the body fight or flee. As a result, muscles tense up, alertness increases, the heart beats faster, respiration and blood pressure escalate.
Though these effects enable a body to react quickly when faced with real danger, a body in this constant state of stress begins to lose its capacity for defense. Lack of sleep and exposure to excessive noise make coping with stress even more difficult. Over time, illness and mental burnout may result. Fortunately, relaxation methods, herbal remedies and water therapies can help reduce stress.
What you can do to help your own stress:
The first thing to help before stress sets in is to learn to relax. Avoid being constantly on the go for everyone and everything. Take time out for yourself each day. Take ten minutes to lie down on the couch, with no music nor television on. Turn the phone ringer off. Listen to your heartbeat and just relax, don't think about nothing. After ten minutes you will find yourself breathing easier, and feeling a bit more energentic.
Yawning releases tension. Believe it or not, yawning can help you relax by stretching the muscles in your face, and increasing oxygen intake. Yawn loudly and stretch your arms several times a day.
Lavender helps you relax. Before drying off after a shower, place three drops of lavender essential oil on a damp washcloth and rub it gently over your body. The soothing active agents in lavender oil will enter your body through your skin and nose.
Nuts soothe the nerves. Nuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals that support your central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Snacking on nuts helps combat stress and increase concentration.
Relaxing medicinal tea recipe: (Not medically proven)
Drink this soothing tea blend when you have trouble calming down and feeling the tension through your body.
Mix equal parts of hawthorn blossoms, St. John's wort, balm leaves, hop fruit, orange blossoms, lavender flowers and hibiscus blossoms. Place 1 tsp. of the mixture in a cup, add boiling water and let steep for 8 minutes.
(you can purchase above items in any natural grocery store)
Nightcap Recipe:
Crush 2/3 oz. valerian root, 2/3 oz. lavender blossoms and 2/3 oz. hop flowers.
Place the herbs in a bottle of red wine. Let the mixture steep for 10 days and shake daily.
Drink about 4 oz. at bedtime to assure a good nights rest.
(Note: if you do not drink alcohol, you can purchase non-alcohol berry wine and get the same results)
Rinse Away your stress:
Hydrotherapy helps reduce the accelerated heart rate that usually accompanies stress.
Try a cold water wash to help restore balance to your metabolism. When you take a shower, first let cold water run over the outside and inside of your right arm. Next, step into the spray so water runs down your back, as you do this, make sure that the water passes over your right should first, then your left. Finish with the outside and inside of your left arm.
These are just a few examples on how you can release stress in your life. But the main important one to remember, is to do for yourself first and relax, otherwise you will end up letting stress rule your life.
| 
