When was the last time a lion chased after you? Probably never, right? But if you don’t know how to tame your stress, your body may feel like it’s happening all the time. There’s even a chance that right now, your body is in a flight-or-fight mode. You might be stressing about all the shopping and deadlines and things to do. Is your mind racing? Maybe it’s time to brainstorm some creative ways to get it all done?
Physiology of the Stress Response
What is physically happening when you stress out? Why are you sweating? Why do you simultaneously feel wired and tired?
As your brain starts to race through various scenarios, it’s sending signals to your body that you’re in danger. That causes your body to react. Your heart races and your breath gets shallow.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The fight-or-flight response is a natural stress reaction triggered by the release of cortisol, a hormone from the adrenals that prepares your body to react. However, not all stress is harmful—it only becomes a problem when it’s chronic. We need to constantly keep an eye on managing our stress before it gets out of control.
Here are three creative ways you can help tame your stress and relax your nervous system:
1. Tame Your Stress With a Creative Sketchbook
If you’re looking for a calmer and more centered mood, look no further than the pages of a sketchbook. Many of us drew or painted as children, and we did so just for the fun of it. We didn’t worry about how good it looked or if we were going to be the next Rembrandt – we just did it for the heck of it.
And guess what, you can still tap into that playful spirit today.
The next time you feel stress building up, grab some colored pencils or a paintbrush—even if it’s just for a few minutes—and let your creativity help you unwind. Adult coloring books are a great way to manage stress and give your mind a break from reality! There are other ways to tap into your creativity such as photography, videography, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, DIY projects, or gardening.
2. Create a Daily Ritual
Having a daily ritual that you look forward to every day is a great way to hit your internal reset button. So, think of something that you can do just for you. Something that brings you joy and gives you a bit of a sanity break. Jot down a few ideas, or you can swipe some of ours:
- Find a quiet spot to enjoy your breakfast each morning. (Tip: Don’t eat in your office or while you’re checking your email.)
- Sip on some tea in the evenings as you play a few of your favorite songs.
- Plant a small garden and savor taking care of your flowers or plants.
- Take a few minutes every morning to write down some things you’re grateful for or set your intentions for the day.
- Read a few pages of a peaceful book before bed. We suggest the 4:8 Principle to help get your mindset right!
Your mind will feel comfortable and at peace with daily routines and habits, so creating a healthy micro-break is a perfect mental getaway.
3. Try New Ways to Move Your Body
If you’re a yoga enthusiast, try switching things up with a run. If you love kickboxing, why not give Pilates a try? There are countless ways to move your body and plenty of fun opportunities to stay active.
Switching up your movement routine is a fun way to engage different parts of your body that might not get much focus in your usual workouts. Plus, moving your body helps you break free from overthinking and experience the mood-boosting effects of endorphins released during exercise. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with others—whether through a group workout class or by inviting a friend to join you for a walk or run.
How Will You Tame Your Stress?
Although you can’t avoid stress entirely, there are a ton of things you can do to manage it naturally. For many, building up the strongest defense against stress means incorporating multiple holistic approaches into your normal routines.
Taking the right supplements is such an easy way to take care of your body! Think of adaptogenic herbs and adrenal support plus calming minerals – that’s a powerful combination to help you feel better immediately!
Our favorites…
- Adrenal Desiccated – our best bang for the buck
- Min-Chex – helps you feel less emotional and more balanced
- Ashwagandha Complex – for the wired and tired
- Kava Forte – when you need serious relaxation
If you need help putting together your creative anti-stress regimen, give our office a call. We love helping our patients melt their stress away!
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