Tackling Stress: It’s About Thinking Outside the Box

Need more sleep? Don’t we all! But we must remember that if we don’t have enough sleep, is it because we are experiencing stress? Stress comes in different forms, and while you cannot control the stress, you can control how you respond. It’s important to recognise that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to managing stress, but it’s about making sure that you have a variety of stress reduction techniques in your toolbox. Let’s show you some of the best methods. 

Herbal Medicines

From essential oils to CBD oil, the benefits of certain herbs are unparalleled. Specifically, CBD oil can work for generalized anxiety. If you are experiencing various forms of anxiety, CBD can help you to relax. It’s also important to recognise that there are other types of herbs that can help you relax, even those in your kitchen! A lavender plant can minimise levels of anxiety. You can mix the oil into a paste, make a tea, or you could put the flowers into your bath. 

Guided Imagery

This is something that we can train our brains to do. You’ve got to remember that your brain is not able to tell what is real and what is imagined. When you start to play a soothing image in your mind, it can work to calm you down, as long as you focus hard. It’s very much about going to your “happy place.” When you start to picture yourself in a calm setting or doing something that relaxes you, this can help you to practice it in those situations where you feel anxious. The important thing to remember is how to incorporate all the sensory experiences because once you allow yourself to calm down, you can return to the present moment. 

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

To do this properly, you start by tightening each muscle of your body, while remembering to breathe, and this allows you to focus on areas that are tenser than others. Relax each muscle group, going from the head down to the toes. This is something that can also help promote blood flow, delivering vital nutrients to each part of the body. Progressive muscle relaxation is a very quick way for you to calm down, because you are, in effect, overriding that sensation of tension.

Learning to Talk to Yourself Positively

If your brain is constantly spouting out sentences beginning with “I can’t…”, this is not helpful. Again, your brain cannot tell between what is real and what is imagined. If you start to put negative words into your thinking, you are going to be more negative in every part of your life. So learning to talk to yourself in a realistic, positive, and compassionate manner allows you to develop a better outlook, which will help you to take more positive action. You can start by looking in the mirror and say something very simple, such as “I am confident,” “I am happy,” “I am focused,” etc. Make it a positive experience. 

There are so many different tactics to stress, from exercise to meditation, and everything in between, but sometimes, we’ve got to think outside the box.

*This is a collaboration post