Top 5 ways to deal with stress
Stress has been linked to all sorts of mental and physical health problems. It can cause headaches, stomach aches, anxiety and depression. In the long run, stress can even lead to chronic health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis.
Stress can also make it difficult to concentrate, sleep and exercise, and generally prevents people from enjoying life. If you struggle with stress, it is important that you find ways to restore your sense of calm, so that you can reduce its impact on your quality of life.
Here are 5 ways you can deal with stress:
#1: Exercise & Eat Well
Physical exercise and nutrition play a role in how your body responds to stress. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, because it gets your heart rate up, increases energy, reduces the stress hormone cortisol, occupies your body and mind and releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. If you can't get to the gym or go for a run, even just a brisk walk around the block can help.
Good nutrition is also essential, because it ensures that your body and mind have all the nutrients they need to function optimally. Stress can actually deplete certain vitamins, like A, B complex, C and E, so it is important that you eat a diverse diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
#2: Meditate
Regular meditation helps to relieve stress and brings a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both emotional and physical wellbeing. When you are meditating, you focus your attention on a sensation (like breathing), and this quiets your thoughts and anchors your mind in the present moment. Many forms of meditation can be practiced anywhere at any time, whether you're out for a walk, riding the bus to work or sitting at your desk.
If you are new to meditation, there are all sorts of beginner programs and apps available to get you started. There are also all sorts of meditation practices to try, including loving-kindness meditation, mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation and transcendental meditation. Have a play around, and see which meditation style works for you.
#3: Connect with Others
Humans are social creatures, and connection with other people is important for moderating emotions, handling stress, and feeling supported. Finding a sense of community, whether it is at home, work, church, university or through shared activities, is essential for mental and physical health. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it is important that you don’t isolate yourself. Instead, surround yourself with your chosen community, whether it is friends, family or peers, and talk to them about what’s going on. Often, simply talking about a stressful situation and receiving support from others is enough to bring stress levels down and gain a more positive outlook on the situation.
#4: Laugh and Play!
Sometimes, adults forget how essential laughter is for wellbeing. A good sense of humour might not be able to cure all ailments, but it can certainly make most situations feel better and cause all sorts of positive changes in the body and mind. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your organs and muscles, increases the endorphins that are released by your brain, relieves your stress response, soothes tension and has long-term effects like improving the immune system, relieving pain, increasing personal satisfaction, connecting one with others and boosting mood.
So go on and watch your favourite funny TV show, see regular live comedy, head out on the town with some funny friends, or even try laughter meditation or yoga.
#5: Supplement with Our Calm Patch
The Patch Remedy's Calm patch is designed to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. This patch contains 24mg of hemp extract (THC free), which reduces anxiety and stress, and also relieves the effects of inflammation and pain.
All you need to do is put the patch on a hairless zone of skin and leave it on for 24 hours. We recommend that you use 1-2 patches (as needed) daily for best results.
You can also use our Calm patch in combination with other stress-relieving patches, like our Sleep patch and our Magnesium patch.
Another great option is our De-Stress Value Bundle which includes the 3 patch varieties above for the ultimate in relaxation.
Patches are a great alternative to supplements and pills, and one of the most effective ways to get essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients into the body.
If you would like to find out more about our patches, you can read all about patches here. We recommend that you chat with your healthcare provider before switching to patches or taking new herbs, minerals and supplements.
