Living in a state of continual stress is so dangerous to our overall health and so many of us are living in that “fight or flight” mode.  Our sympathetic system can be at an all-time high and we never allow our bodies to get into a balanced state and into our parasympathetic system.

Living in continual stress causes our cortisol levels to be high and if we don’t lower our cortisol, then we can be inviting dis-eases into our body.  Dis-eases such as cancer, metabolic, autoimmune, and heart disease to name a few.

Living in Continual Stress

When we become used to living in continual stress, our body stays there, and we think it’s normal the way we feel.  If you are that person that has been living in a state of continual stress, then take a minute and read this.  I’m going to give you some ideas that might help you move your body from that “sympathetic” state to transitioning it into the “parasympathetic” state.  Grab a nice cup of “calming” tea and read on.

So, you might guess what your first recommendation might be.

1. Calming tea – yes there are calming teas like Chamomile or Lemon Balm.  But it is also said that green tea has an amino acid that can help reduce stress.
2. Remove caffeine – this can be hard as so many people like their coffee especially first thing in the morning.  But caffeine is a stimulant and that’s probably the last thing your body needs right now.
3. Dark Chocolate – dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants that can help lower your stress hormones … and remember I said dark … not milk.  You want dark chocolate that has at least 70% cacao.
4. Omega-3’s – Increase your intake of Omega-3s from food like salmon or avocado.  Or you can take a good fish oil supplement.  You want to be sure your supplement is tested for mercury.  As mercury can be found in many fish.
5. Stretch – stretching can relax your body and your mind
6. Exercise – do you have some favorite exercises you enjoy?  Get back to daily spending time exercising.  It helps release the stress in your body and your mind.
7. Deep-breathing – practice some deep breathing exercises.  Try the 5-5-5-10 mode.  Take a deep breath with the count of 5; hold for 5 seconds; exhale for 5 seconds; repeat 10 times.
8. Meditation APP – try apps that will play beautiful relaxing music.  APPs like Calm, Headspace or Relaxing Sounds, Sleep Easy can be a useful tool.
9. Massage – don’t need to say anything more about that.
10. Music – listen to your favorite music. Be sure it’s calming and not excitable.
11. Walk – studies show that walking in nature and breathing fresh air (please no masks) can bring down the levels of stress in your body.
12. Dance – this can reduce stress and boost your serotonin.
13. Hug – give someone a hug or ask for one.  Nothing better than the power of touch.
14. Sleep – try your best to get to bed at a reasonable time.  Get some good sleep before the midnight hour is good for you.  If sleep is an issue, then let’s chat about getting your sleep into balance.
15. Diffuse – use your diffuser with relaxing Essential Oils such as Lavender, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile … to name a few.
16. Sun – Nothing better for you than some good Vitamin D.  If you live in a climate that sun is limited right now, then perhaps consider taking a supplement.
17. Garden – start a garden.  If there is snow outside for you right now, then consider starting some plants from seed inside your home.  It’s uplifting to watch life grow.
18. Comedy – watch a comedy show or a funny movie.  Laughing definitely releases the stress in your body, relieves your tension and will help improve your mood.
19. Pet – play with your pet, run with them, pet them, love them … they will love you back and that in itself is relaxing.
20. Vacation – this might be hard for some but if you have had a planned vacation and have put it off, consider getting it on the calendar.  We all need time away from our daily routine.
21. Happy People – Spend time with positive, happy people.  Create a happy environment.
22. Talk – Share with trusted friend, a therapist or pastor what you might be stressing about.
23. Social Media – take a break.  Nothing more said.
24. Hobby – take up a hobby like knitting, sewing, drawing, woodworking.  Quilting is my new hobby and I love it.  Very relaxing to me.
25. Journal – start a gratitude journey to remind yourself of the blessings in your life … and there are blessings.
26. Stop procrastinating – procrastinating can bring on stress.  Putting things off is not necessarily helpful to life itself.
27. Unclutter – if there is a space in your home that is clutter, spend time decluttering that space.  It will feel great when you are done.  Clutter brings on stress for sure.
28. Flowers – add fresh flowers to your home.  I buy fresh flowers weekly and always have them by my bed.  As I sit in bed and read, I see the beauty of them and smell the beautiful fragrance.

I hope that one of these 28 suggestions can be applied to your life to begin removing the stress you are encountering.  Don’t live another day in this place of stress.  God gave us peace as a gift and we just need to take a hold of it.  If you’ve experienced trauma in your life and that trauma is still residing inside of you, then perhaps working with a Spiritual Life Coach can help you get free from it.  If you need a helping hand to bring that place of peace into your life, then reach out.  Just reply to this email and we can connect.

Your Spiritual Life and Health Coach … believing in you!