written by Lauren Curl-Ferrell on July 16, 2021.
Stress, ugh. Am I Right?
There is nothing worse than being bogged down by stress. It effects your mood, your health, and your energy. Stress is something that a lot of people are effected by so if you're feeling it, just know that you are not alone.
There are great ways to find relaxation and destress throughout your day and we're going to share the 3 easiest and fastest ways.
Take advantage of utilizing these ideas throughout your day and you'll notice a decrease in your stress.
The Effects Of Stress
There are a plethora of ways that stress effects your body internally and externally. When you find stress creeping in, it is because your hypothalamus has sent in the stress hormone.
These stress hormones were sent in because they are designed to protect your body in an emergency and it prepares you to react quickly. They're the same hormones that are responsible for that "fight or flight" response that happens in the body.
The Risks
The downside to these stress hormones is that they can get triggered easily and when your body fires those hormones out day in and day out, it could put your health at a serious risk. It can cause the following problems:
Headaches
Tension headaches are NOT fun. Well, who am I kidding - ANY headache is not fun.
Increased Depression
Chronic stress will wear you down and increase those depression levels.
High Blood Pressure
Stress hormones tighten blood vessels, and that can raise your blood pressure.
High Blood Sugar
Stress will cause the liver to release glucose (aka sugar) into the bloodstream. Overtime- this will put you at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.
Insomnia
Stress hormones make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Heartburn
The production of stomach acid increases when stress is present. Heartburn is never a good time.
Weakened Immune System
Vulnerability to infections is a side effect of long term stress.
Stomach Aches
The digestive system is effected by your stress levels. That can lead to aches, nausea, and other digestive stomach pains and troubles.
Missed Periods
Stress hormones constantly present will fluctuate other hormones. That fluctuating of hormones can throw the menstrual cycle off. Over time, this can actually stop periods altogether.
Low Sex Drive
Stress can cause fatigue. Both of those will take a toll on the libido.
Fertility Problems
This effects all genders. The interference of stress on a reproductive system can make it harder to conceive.
3 Easy Ways To Reduce Stress
There are quite a few things that can help alleviate stress, but these 3 - in our opinion - help alleviate it the quickest.
1. Do Something Creative
The creative juices help to send in dopamine which can bully the stress hormones out. They also help to move your brain focus from focusing on the stressful situation to a more relaxed idea.
The best part about doing something creative is that it can be something that you do quickly (if you're pressed for time) or it can be some concept that you continue to grow upon.
Some creative ideas you can do:
Write in a journal.
Do an adult coloring book. (or hey - use a children's one! You can do no wrong in the world of coloring and creativity)
Learn a new instrument or play one you're familiar with.
Bake cupcakes or a cake
Read a book, or write a book.
Build something with your hands.
2. Practice Breathing Exercises
This falls in line with just taking a moment to pause the stress. Those stress hormones can go right back to where they came from by simply taking a few deep inhales and exhales.
Sit somewhere quiet, and inhale for 4 - 5 seconds and exhale for 4 - 5 seconds. Do that for a few moments.
Your eyes don't even need to be closed for this.
Just take a moment to get your breath back on track and your heart rate down, and you'll feel the stress relief.
3. Use Stress Away
When the body undergoes physical or emotional stress, B-vitamins are depleted quickly. When the body is forced to withstand these demands, it greatly increases the demand for B Vitamins. Coupled with Vitamin C, research has shown that a supplemental B-Complex can help alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Pure Vegan Stress Away is high potency Vitamin B-Complex with Vitamin C. So it's a win for long periods of stress.
The best part about Stress Away? It's all natural and non-habit forming. If you want to use it every day - go for it. If you want to use it occasionally - live it up! That is the benefit of non habit forming. It's just there to help promote better focus and remaining calm.
The Wrap Up
Well, there you have it. 3 easy ways to destress and unwind! We understand that stress is a very normal part of life. Too much of it can be harmful physically and mentally.
Thankfully - there are many ways to manage it.
Speak to your doctor if your stress is causing severe anxiety and depression or any other serious conditions.
