Managing stress is a leading concern for many adults. While taking time off work and getting away for a quick vacation may not be on your immediate agenda, nonetheless, there are a number of ways you can manage your stress level while still keeping up with your daily obligations. The following are some tips for achieving a state of deep relaxation regularly in order to keep your body and life flowing optimally.
Watch what you put into the body and when
Your diet actually has a lot to do with your overall well-being and stress level. Certain foods are more stress-producing than others, and it is important to note how much and how often you eat. The first of the stress-producing culprits are coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks and other caffeine-and-sugar-laden beverages. Caffeine is known as a powerful stimulant that affects the nervous system directly and daily comsumption may compromise your body's ablity to relax properly. The same goes for chocolate, black tea, yerba mate, and even green tea, so consume these stimulants at times when they will not intensify the already excited activity of your adrenal glands. In other words: avoid them during times of peak stress, such as when you're rushing out the door to get to work in the morning. Instead, enjoy them in moderation after a leisurely meal on your day off and disable the cyclic relationship between these substances and your stress level.
A diet too rich in meats and animal products may result in mood disturbances and compromise your ability to relax and even to achieve restful sleep. Raw foods and vegetables, on the other hand, support the body's nutritional needs while facilitating rapid digestion and the elimination of toxins that can cause tension and irritation in the body. Organic whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans, especially soaked and/or sprouted before consumption, help you maintain a clean digestive tract with optimal mineral absorption. The absorption of minerals is crucial to your body's overall well-being and your ability to ward off anxiety, irritability and stress. Fresh cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir and fresh mozzarella cheese are excellent sources of calcium, which nourishes your bones and nervous system, but avoid hardened and aged cheeses, as these are often much more difficult to digest, resulting in irritation. Taking a good mineral supplement will also help to keep your moods in check. Magnesium is known to expand and relax muscle tissue, and a warm bath filled with Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) is an excellent treatment for overall physical stress and muscle stiffness.
Honor the mind-body connection through movement and exercise
Taking time out to exercise, stretch your muscles and meditate is vital to the sustenance and vitality that your body needs in order to truly enjoy a full life. You can save time by combining the two activities into one, through a discipline such as T'ai Chi, Qui Gong or Yoga. Or, design your own relaxing and stretching routine using whatever movement elements you feel most comfortable with. The key is to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, empty your mind, and massage your entire musculature as well as your inner organs. Bear in mind that stretching is not the same as aerobics nor is it the same as weight-bearing exercise. Those forms of physical activity are best performed after the body is fully stretched and relaxed.
Meditation
The best way to begin meditating is to find a tranquil spot and sit comfortably. Begin to inhale deeply using only your nostrils and the full capacity of your lungs, drawing the breath into the lower abdomen. Count to ten while holding the breath in your body, then release it slowly through your mouth. By repeating this deep-breathing exercise, you will soon feel your body challenging the depths of your breaths. Gently push onward, concentrating deliberately on relaxing every part of your body, beginning from the toes up. Focus on each part of the body as you visualize relaxation and expansion in your ankles, calves, knees, thighs, pelvis and so on. Allow yourself to stay in the meditation for a period of about 15 minutes. Setting a timer is a good idea so you do not have to worry about watching a clock.
After a while, you may find yourself thinking about all your current problems, situations in your daily life, and things that seem to be distracting you from your meditation. But wait! That is precisely what meditation is supposed to do: allow you to filter your thoughts through a state of utter tranquility and release them. Once you have systematically allowed all your thoughts to evaporate through the process of mental release, you will experience a soothing inner peace. At this point, you will know you have reached the state of absolute relaxation, the mental state known as Alpha. After lingering for a few minutes in the state of Alpha, you will have successfully relaxed your mind and body to a degree wherein toxins produced by stress and anxiety can be more easily processed and eliminated by your body.
Your sanctuary
By creating a quiet sanctuary where you can release your tension, you grant yourself the gift of space and expansion. Choose a private spot outdoors, in your garden or on a window-bench overlooking a tranquil view. If your sanctuary is indoors, make sure the room gets good natural light and is uncluttered. Burn a small amount of incense or use aromatherapy to elevate the spiritual and emotional energy of the space. Surround yourself with the colors, sounds, and fragrances that you love. By retreating to your sanctuary each day, you will feel mentally and spiritually replenished, charging your batteries for your otherwise hectic and busy lifestyle.
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