As much as we deny it, life is not always a bed of roses. We are bound to come across difficulties here and there—whether it is a tough situation at school, at home, or at our part-time work. Some of us can cope with the adversity fine without any outside help, but some of us may need more than the usual stress relievers, like going out with friends for a fun movie or spending quality time with our significant other, to take the edge off.
The good news is that we actually can beat stress without resorting to pharmaceuticals. There are natural ways to fight the anxiety. But of course, different things work for different people. Below are some good non-pharmaceutical alternatives to try out:
Lavender
Lavender is more than an ingredient that is popular in scented candles, perfume, and bathroom soaps. It is a scent that can promote calmness in the brain, therefore relieving stress. The most popular way to do so is via essential oil which you can put a bit of directly in your collarbone or your temple. If you do not agree to this method, an alternative is to decorate your room with lavender so the scent can permeate the room.
Herbal Tea
Most people believe that tea is only good for digestion or as a good pairing with cookies (or biscuits as the Brits would like to say). However, there are some types that can actually help decrease your anxious moods. These include green, mint, basil, sage, rosemary, and chamomile. The latter is believed to be an excellent way to combat insomnia too—the natural way!
Food with Healthy Fats and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A common way that some people deal with stress is to reach out for the sweets and caffeine. Doing so will make things worse. Scientists believe that eating food with healthy fats and Omega-3 fatty acids is the way to go to put stress in the corner. This includes salmon, tuna, and sardines. Food with some healthy fats include nuts, seeds and avocados.
Food High in Vitamin B
Getting the right amount of nutrients when you are feeling anxious is extremely important so that your health is taken care of. A healthy alternative to candies and chocolates to get you motivated are food which are high in B vitamins like whole grains, beans, peas, spinach, kale, blackstrap molasses, potatoes, bananas, and legumes.
Yoga
Yoga sessions can teach you a variety of breathing exercises that promote calmness and relaxation. In turn, you can apply these breathing techniques when you are meditating or even when you find yourself right smack dab in the middle of a bad situation. Stretching during yoga sessions also is ideal when you want to kick stress out of your life. However, make sure that you don’t overstretch more than your body can physically handle or else you will find yourself combating an injury.
Massage
Getting a massage can help loosen up those knotted muscles in your body that will in turn lead to a more relaxed, less anxious you. Be sure to specify to the massage therapist whether you bruise or hurt easily or not so they can adjust the type of massage they can give you.
Bubble Bath
Taking a bubble bath is not just good for your skin, it can be incredibly be relaxing and calming too. Choose a bubble bath soap that generates the most positive effect in you like strawberry or kiwi and you will be stress-free soon enough!
Feel-good Movies
Movies are not just for entertainment or to occupy your idle time, but they can actually help alleviate your anxiety and uplift your spirits. Of course, steer clear of bleak movies as these can only make things worse. Instead, go for movies that you love to watch over and over again—this can be action movies like the first “Die Hard,” a classic like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” a dramedy like “The Devil Wears Prada,” or a rom-com like “Trainwreck.” Watch it alone or with company.
