Stress Fix: 7 Ways to Reduce Stress
Stress Fix: 7 Ways to Reduce Stress
Everybody experiences stress. It comes to our body in the 3-T’s: toxins, traumas and thoughts.
Thoughts, or mental stress, is a big one throughout the year. Every day we are bombarded with worries like bills, work, getting kids to school, health, household chores, and all the expectations to keep all these things afloat. Then we find out how bad stress is for us, and we stress out about that. That means we are up at night stressing about our stress. It’s a never-ending cycle!
It’s important to reduce stress because it can impact every system in your body, and when one system gets out of whack so can others. For example, when stress puts our body into the fight or flight mode it can impact our digestive system so the body won’t be able to digest the food you ate. This can lead to acid reflux, colon problems, hormone problems, high blood pressure, and so much more.
The people who tell you to decrease stress without giving you any tools … well they are part of the problem. We like to make sure we get you tested to see what is stressing your body and how your stress hormones are doing. Any stresses that we can take away are going to leave your body better equipped to deal with the other stresses that come your way. Here are 7 ways to reduce stress you can use right away.
8 Ways to Reduce Stress
1 – Get adjusted
As you get stressed your shoulders go up and your muscles tighten up. This can lead to subluxations or misalignments along the spine especially in the mid back area where your fight or flight response is. It makes people feel really good and it lowers your blood pressure.
2 – Eat some real chocolate
This superfood makes it onto the list very frequently and when we say chocolate, we mean real cacao that’s unadulterated. You don’t want run of the mill chocolate that has been ruined with high heat, chemicals, and dairy. Cacao is high in antioxidants, which support the body. The magnesium and serotonin found in this food help you relax. Consider this a prescription for healthy cacao. We have some great recipes in our desserts section!
3 – Enjoy time with pets
Pets have been found to reduce blood pressure and they reduce loneliness. Taking your dog for a walk or cuddling with your favorite furry companion can reduce a lot of stress. If you don’t have one of your own and don’t want that responsibility, borrow one.
4 – Get a massage
If you have ever had a massage you know, massages are awesome! Massage helps decrease fight or flight response and decreases muscle tension. That’s why I always leave a massage feeling like a puddle—a happy puddle.
5 – Find your tribe
Find people who help reduce your stress and don’t add to it with unnecessary drama. People who will bring you back to reality and keep you off that stress ledge. Great people need other great people. Find great people to help lift you up.
6 – Watch YouTube videos or listen to podcasts
Find a YouTube channel or podcast that inspires you while helping you cut off and destress. Self-development is a great way to refocus your thoughts and build yourself. Look for one that resonates with you because we all need something a little different.
7 – Support your body with herbs
There are some herbs that can help with your reaction to stress. They never take it away and I don’t make this as a long-term recommendation because you need to learn how to deal with your stress. Herbs like kava and California poppy can help you as you are learning to remove stress. How do you do that?
Make Time for Ways to Reduce Stress
Everybody experiences stress, but not everybody has to be controlled by their stress. I know that when you are stressed there is less time to deal with your own stress. For your health, it is the most important thing you can do. Ignoring your stress will just make it worse and can lead to major health problems. So, use some of the tools on this list. Make a plan and take a look at your priorities to reduce the stress in your life.
Check out Dr Hellman’s upcoming free seminars in Fort Mill, SC today.
By Dr. Stacey Willey