Stress Reduction In Four Easy Natural Ways

By Russell Stubbs on July 8, 2009

Our lives are filled with many sources of external stress. The amount of information that we receive and the increased level of communication helps to elevate stress levels. The media consistently remind us that there is lots for us to fear in such uncertain times. For people of all ages, children included, stress has become commonplace.

Stress is proven to be a major contributor to disease and ill health. The chemistry that we produce as a result of the stress response adversely affects most bodily systems. Our immune systems are compromised when consistently exposed to the biochemistry of stress. Stress ages us prematurely and stress related conditions are responsible for over 75% of visits to the doctor in America.

The positive news is, we can learn techniques that are simple to use on a daily basis for bringing balance to the system and reducing stress. We need to learn to initiate the relaxation response by triggering the opposite branch of the nervous system. After practicing these techniques regularly, we can reduce stress and calm the system at any time. We all have the inbuilt ability to heal ourselves and this works at its best when we are stress-free.

A very healthy habit to form is the deep relaxation of mind and body, sometimes known as meditation. The current research into relaxation/meditation shows that regular practice causes positive changes within the brain and genes. This is a different form of rest than we receive when we sleep. There are different techniques that can be learned and used. Some people find that in the early stages a guided relaxation recording can be helpful.

Breathing techniques are another excellent way of triggering the relaxation response. The practices of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Chi Gong have included breathing exercises for thousands of years. Many Western medical studies now confirm the numerous physiological benefits of focused breathing techniques. Breathing techniques are a way of directly influencing nervous system activity.

Acupuncture has proven itself to be an excellent approach at stress relief. Acupressure has shown to be even more effective than the use of needles for the relief of stress and anxiety according to some research. For the reduction of stress, self-applied forms of acupressure can easily be learnt and used. Acupressure can be applied as tapping techniques which are easy to master. The results are felt straight away from this quick and convenient technique.

A great deal of stress can be generated from fearing the future or dwelling on the past. The best antidote to this form of stress is to practice consistently bringing yourself back into the present moment. There are a number of ways to achieve this and it becomes easier and more natural with practice. An effective technique is to use your senses whilst spending time in nature. Whilst taking a walk in a park or in the countryside try to smell, touch, hear and actually look at what you are experiencing.

It’s hard to completely avoid stress, it’s likely to be part of all of our lives. The key is, just to take a few minutes out of our busy schedules to practice relaxing and calming our systems. These techniques are practices and as the name suggests they get better, the more we use them. In time it becomes easier and more natural to trigger the relaxation response. More and more health benefits to reducing stress are being discovered, so it makes perfect sense to put some effort into switching off.

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