Dorothy FarrarHome remedies for stress
Everybody has stress from time to time and the body can process it very well to a certain extent. Sometimes people need stress to perform better. But when there is too much stress, the body and also the soul suffer. In order to go through life with less stress, the following advice can be followed.
What is stress?
Stress is an emotional and physical reaction to a stressful situation. The natural psychological defense mechanism is triggered when the body is overworked. Many people respond to pressure, aggression, or danger by producing stress-inducing hormones.
How intensely the stress is perceived depends on what information reaches the brain and how alarming the situation is perceived. A negative attitude or unrealistic expectations are therefore stress-inducing. This response used to be evoked in life-threatening situations when the body needed to gear up for a fight or flight.
Stress is not uncommon, everyone experiences it. Everyday family commitments or responsibilities at work can be stressors. There are two types of stress, acute stress and chronic stress.
Who is affected?
If the organism is unable to react efficiently to various difficult situations and this condition persists, it is a sign of chronic stress. It can cause a variety of health-threatening symptoms. Chronic stress can result in fatigue, insomnia , migraines, digestive problems and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.
On the contrary, the acute stress that people experience before exams, lectures or unpredictable new events can be very useful in coping with these challenges. Actually, it’s a matter of balance. Positive stress, eustress, can increase performance through more attention, as well as promote motivation and creativity. Physical signs of stress can include rapid breathing, muscle tension, palpitations , sweating, and nausea.
causes
Distress, the negative stress has other causes. In threatening, unpleasant or unexpected situations, such as an accident, the stress leads to exhaustion. This can affect our cognitive and physical health and be the cause of problems such as skin inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, asthma or headaches.
The terms eustress and distress come from Hans Seyle, the hormone researcher who was the first to explain the term “stress” in three phases in his work. In the alarm phase, people are confronted with danger, in the resistance phase, adaptability is required, which robs the body of a lot of energy, which is then followed by the exhaustion phase. The organism can be prone to disease, depression or anxiety.
What helps against stress?
- One of the most effective home remedies for stress is exercise. According to various studies, people who do enough sport are less likely to suffer from stress . It is best to exercise three times a week for at least half an hour. Exercising releases endorphins, which lifts your spirits and eases anxiety.
- Progressive muscle relaxation is a wonderful home remedy for stress. It is best to lie down in a quiet place and close your eyes. This exercise starts at the feet and ends at the crown. First, the toes are tensed as much as possible for about 10 seconds in order to then enjoy the relaxation. Next, the same is done with the feet, the calves, the thighs, and so on. This is how you work your way progressively from your feet to your head.
- Music is balm for the soul and thus also helps against stress. Simply dance to music that is good for relaxation, or lay on the bed or couch and listen in a relaxed manner.
Fast help with stress
- Those who suffer from increased stress should limit their consumption of sugar , caffeine and alcohol . You should also stop smoking. All of these substances lead to more stress in different ways.
- As a balance to stressful work, training or studies, a calming hobby should be pursued. Reading, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, knitting or yoga will help you forget the stress for a while.
- Meditation is one of the most valued remedies for stress. If you have time, it is highly recommended to attend a yoga or Pilates class . At the same time, these exercises also provide the movement that helps fight stress.
Alternative remedies
- Chamomile tea is known for its stomach-soothing effects and also helps as a stress reliever. Chamomile tea has been prized for its healing properties since ancient Greek times. Up to 5 cups can be drunk every day.
- Another alternative remedy for stress is ginseng root. Ginseng regulates the release of stress hormones. Stress can be reduced by taking 200 mg daily. Initially only 100 mg should be taken and this amount is then slowly increased up to 250 mg. Doctors recommend stopping therapy with ginseng for a week every three weeks.
- Vitamin C is also a remedy for stress, as studies have shown that when people take vitamin C regularly, their blood pressure does not rise as much in stressed people and, moreover, the hormone levels of stress hormones fall back to normal more quickly when taking vitamin C.
- Another alternative home remedy for stress is a warm, soothing bath with medicinal herbs such as valerian and/or lavender . Chamomile can also develop its calming healing powers well in warm water. It is best to wrap the medicinal herbs in a thin cotton cloth and then add them to the bath water.
See Stress for more information . If the quality of life is affected by constant stress, sleep disorders occur, worries and fears as well as headaches and binge eating occur, a doctor should be consulted. Because too much stress over a longer period of time can increase the risk of high blood pressure , stroke and other diseases.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.