5 Easy Ways to Help Reduce your Stress Levels

Life can be so frenetic these days that at times it can be difficult to switch off. Work pressures, family demands, not having enough time for yourself… stress can quickly build up and cause any number of health problems. And it’s why we’re looking at Stress Awareness Month this March.

Insomnia, headaches, sore shoulder and neck muscles, feeling sick – these are all indicative of stress. If allowed to build up for a long time, resulting in chronic stress, the ailments can become much more serious. Depression, an ulcer and even an increased risk of heart disease could be the result, along with other conditions that require medical help.

Thankfully there are plenty of things we can do to reduce our stress levels. This includes exercise, of course, but also meditation, getting more sleep and eating well. And there’s lots more:

How to prevent stress build-up 

Exercise

Walking in nature or jumping on a bike and heading to the park are two great ways to start exercising more. The more you enjoy the activity, the more likely you are to keep it up. The NHS recommends adults do strengthening activities at least two days a week and undertake around 150 minutes of exercise that’s moderately intensive every week.

Eat well

Aim to eat plenty of foods that are nutrient-packed. This means whole foods such as brown rice, bread and paste. Also, vegetables and fruit, pulses, nuts and seeds. Make salads to take to work for lunch and pulse fruits for smoothies. Magnesium and B vitamins are said to reduce stress and improve mood.

Cut back on caffeine

It’s well documented how consuming coffee later in the day can interfere with our sleep. And that, in turn, can cause us to become more stressed. It’s recommended we take no more than five cups of coffee a day. And for those who are particularly sensitive it’s worth cutting coffee out altogether. There are, of course, lots of great alternatives. Some of our favourites are:

NutraRelax

Not only does our NutraRelax contain no caffeine, it also has herbal properties that promote relaxation. These include the likes of chamomile, passion flower and lavender. Liquorice and cinnamon are also great for the respiratory tract so ensure your airways are clear (something that can disturb sleep in many individuals).

Lemongrass & Ginger

Aimed at supporting both immune and digestive health, our Lemongrass & Gingertea also aids relaxation. Many fans also comment on its refreshing citrus flavour (making it ideal to drink hot or cold). 

NutraBoost

Don’t want to cut out caffeine completely? Then why not opt for a low caffeine alternative? We stock many teas containing Green Tea, which still contains caffeine, albeit it at a far less concentration that coffee. It also has health-giving properties, such as adding alertness and an abundance of antioxidants. NutraBoost in particular is aimed at increasing alertness and focus, thanks to the addition of Guarana and Ginseng.

Take care of you

Take time out to pamper yourself – or at least, wind down. That could mean something as simple as taking a relaxing bath, lighting a scented candle or taking a walk with the dog (if you don’t have one, borrow your neighbours). Alternatively, treat yourself to a massage or join a yoga class.

Cuddle up

Can’t cuddle yourself? Then get someone else to do to it. And reciprocate. Physical contact with another person can release oxytocin, a hormone which lowers cortisol. The result is a slowed down heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Stop procrastinating

Putting something off so that you can do nothing instead has the opposite effect to relaxing. That’s because it will still remain on your ‘to do’ list and make you feel stressed thinking about it. Also, the deadline to complete it will be even nearer.