There are countless studies that link stress and anxiety to problems with both mental health and your physical wellbeing, and with 25% of Brits admitting to getting stressed every day, it’s high-time to crack out the candles, bubble up the bath water, and relax.
According to Dr Cynthia Ackrill, from the American Institute of Stress and WellSpark, a leadership development firm, ‘When you ‘feel’ stress reduce, you are feeling your heart rate calm, your brainwaves organize, your vessels dilating, and your physiology and emotional state return to neutral.’ Sounds good, but how do you do it?
Firstly, taking a relaxing bath is a known stress reliever, but why? Dr Ackrill explains that taking a bath ‘calms our physiology [and] relaxes the vessels.’ However, you may be surprised to hear that indulging in other known de-stressors is not quite as helpful as you think. ‘I have a love affair with chocolate, but unfortunately, sugar is not a help in stress, Dr Ackrill admits. ‘We crave it – we want dopamine and serotonin to feel better – but it is not a help at all in the long run. Sugar actually is inflammatory (a version of a stressor).’
So if chocolate can’t help you, maybe a higher power can. According to Dr Ackrill, praying can lead you to feel a connection with your spiritual health. Also, many people turn to yoga and meditation, as well as deep breathing, for stress relief. ‘This is one of the oldest and cheapest forms of stress management known to mankind! Mindful breathing resets brain patterns, increases heart rate coherence, lowers blood pressure and many more effects,’ writes Dr Ackrill.
Finally, getting a bit musical never hurt anyone’s stress levels. Dr Ackrill explains, ‘Some music actually increases coherence of our heart rate – a really healthy state – and if you are actively listening you are less focused on the stress.’ Whilst you’ve got the good tunes going, why not dig out your dancing shoes? ‘Movement releases stress reducing chemicals as well as chemicals that support brain growth. Exercise rivals antidepressants,’ Dr Ackrill says. So whether it’s one of these suggestions, or something else like knitting, reading, puppies or hugs, find a method that works for you, and relax.
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