Stay Young the Natural Way 1: Practice Effective Stress Reduction Techniques (Part 2)

As a continuation to the previous post, here are more tried-and proven techniques to help control the surge of adrenaline and cortisol during stressful times.

 

• Unwind through playing.

 

Note: Playing is a necessary activity that stimulates creativity.

 

If you are working at home, spend a few minutes playing with your kid or pet. Or you can simply enjoy a good old-fashioned board game. The kind of play you engage in depends on your personal preference and available people or materials. Be imaginative and use what you have at the ready to create de-stressing games that appeal to the inner child in you. For creators—artists, writers, architects, inventors, etc. play is a necessary aspect in bringing out their natural creativity and inventiveness.

 

• Indulge in some chocolate.

 

Have you ever wondered why many people are addicted to marijuana? It induces a state of calm that pacifies nerves. However, being illegal, smoking pot when you only have five minutes left to beat a deadline could only further amplify your stress. Why? You may get sacked apart from facing possible charges for violating.

 

But who says you need to smoke pot in order to calm your jittery nerves? You can obtain the exact same benefits when you eat chocolate. Although considered by many as a fattening junk food, chocolate is not all that bad if taken in moderation. It comes with health benefits, one of which is mood alleviation. To up your great health advantages, opt for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and other varieties. Eat an ounce and a half when you feel stumped or anxious. Immediately, you will feel the pacifying effects as its components work to lower your stress needle. Besides this, the adverse effect of stress on your metabolism is also reduced.

 

• Pause for a few minutes of daydreaming.

 

Harried to the point of exploding? Distract yourself intentionally by losing yourself momentarily in a wonderful daydream. Put yourself in a most pleasurable situation and enjoy the image as they come parading in your head. Daydreaming works best during traffic. Instead of fretting and counting the minutes, get your mind off the congestion and allow yourself to be drifted away into your very own fantasy world. Daydreaming is an effective diversion that elicits cheerful emotions while inducing a state of calm.

 

• Find someone (or something to hug).

 

It pays to have a pillow in your workstation. A stressball or small stuffed pet also works. But to maximize the benefits get them in sizes big enough to be hugged. Hugging, even an inanimate object, is an instant de-stressor. It appeases your raging emotions and makes you feel good on the spot. Greater benefits are in store of you hug a friend or loved one or even a pet, as their warmth and the sense of security they provide can banish anxiety and other negative emotions.