What are some natural methods to reduce stress?
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Dr. Pina LoGiudice answered:Natural medicine has many methods of offering safe and effective anxiety relief that can help people avoid medications like Xanax and Paxil. Exercise has been shown to decrease stress levels and help mood, as well as many medications. Strategies such as increased water, whole foods, and meditation can change a person's physiology to lower stress hormones. Specific nutrients such as vitamin B6, niacinamide, tryptophan and theanine can work on the same mechanisms as the medications, but with a lower side effect profile. Passion flower, St. John's wort and Kava kava have hundreds of years of historical use to calm and center.Natural medicine has many methods of offering safe and effective anxiety relief that can help people avoid medications like Xanax and Paxil. Exercise has been shown to decrease stress levels and help mood, as well as many medications.... More -
Dr. Maoshing Ni answered:If the negative news headlines and natural disasters are throwing your equilibrium off balance and running you on the road to burnout, you are not alone! Take a pause and regain a sense of calm with these all-natural tips.
- Schisandra soothes and rejuvenates: A prized berry that has been used for thousands of years to revitalize the senses, schisandra contains several vitamins and flavonoids that possess antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. It is considered an energy tonic that enhances both physical endurance and mental concentration; at the same time, it soothes the nerves, taking the edge off anxiety. It has been used as an adjunct support for immune function in patients undergoing chemotherapy and helps to protect the liver and kidneys. Grown in Asia, schisandra is available as a supplement from health food stores.
- Beat the blues with B6: Vitamin B6 plays a role in red blood cell metabolism, protein metabolism and synthesis of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. It also helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and increases the amount of oxygen carried to your tissues. Low levels can lead to an increase of homocysteine, anemia, headaches and depression. Start by eating B6 foods: bananas, chicken breast, garlic, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, sunflower seeds, broccoli, red bell peppers, watermelon, avocados and potatoes.
- Get your blood flowing: The constant pressures of your job, family and events that are out of your control can lead to chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is a direct cause of muscle and joint pain. Clenched jaw? Lump in your throat? Chronic back and neck pain? These can all be manifestations of stress in your body. You can release physical tension and clear these emotional blockages with regular exercise, massage therapy, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, or any activity that gets your energy flowing.
For increased stress reduction, practice five minutes of deep breathing during exercise. While exercising, deliberately slow down your breath by counting to 10 for each inhalation and exhalation. When you exhale, blow out and let go of worries and negativity. After five minutes, you should immediately experience a deeper state of relaxation.If the negative news headlines and natural disasters are throwing your equilibrium off balance and running you on the road to burnout, you are not alone! Take a pause and regain a sense of calm with these all-natural tips. Schisandra soothes and... More -
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia answered:No need to pop a chill pill. There are some effective non-drug ways to reduce stress. Learn about some natural ways to get calm by watching this video featuring integrative medicine specialist Dr. Tasneem Bhatia.
No need to pop a chill pill. There are some effective non-drug ways to reduce stress. Learn about some natural ways to get calm by watching this video featuring integrative medicine specialist Dr. Tasneem Bhatia. More -
Grace Larrimore answered:Nowadays there are many amazing opportunities to reduce stress in our lives. The great news is that due to so many options, we can be more proactive in our own journey to stress reduction by learning, and implementing alternative therapies.
First, understanding what areas within your life are experiencing stress is a great starting place. Unsure of those areas? An easy way to discover where stress is present is to start by sitting somewhere quiet. Maybe it’s out in nature or in a dimmed lighting room. Sit down and begin to close your eyes. As you shut your eyes off to the external stimuli, you draw your awareness 90% inward. This is where your true power is. One of my favorite things to tell my clients is that our internal feelings, thoughts, and beliefs create what we experience externally. So instead of reaching all around you in the outside world, one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is quiet yourself enough to look inward. You cut to the chase, and get to the root cause of stress often times.
So, here we are, eyes closed, and beginning to focus on only the breath. Feeling the breath flowing in and out. After a few breaths and moments, your mind will wander. Where is the first place it wanders to? How is your stress-response to those thoughts? Do you feel anxious? Do you feel agitated? And how do those emotions express themselves in your physical body? Do you tense up around your neck or shoulders? Does your stomach feel tight? The first step in helping aid in stress reduction is mindfulness of where stress is within your life, how your body is experiencing the stress, and last but not least, how you are continuing creating stress within your life by thoughts, emotions, and perception.
Start with the above exercise to give you an empowered place of awareness. After this exercise, I encourage clients to try some new things, maybe it's a yoga class, or a class about meditation techniques; perhaps it’s looking into Reiki, which is all about helping you remove blockages/patterns that you are holding onto within your energetic body keeping you stuck. Our energetic patterns are huge contributors in what we create in our lives.
Please feel free to contact me through my page to ask me more in depth what options are right for you! I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Nowadays there are many amazing opportunities to reduce stress in our lives. The great news is that due to so many options, we can be more proactive in our own journey to stress reduction by learning, and implementing alternative therapies.... More
