6 natural ways to banish stress

6 natuurlijke manieren om van je stress af te komen

Sometimes life is an emotional rollercoaster. You’re busy with 1001 things at once and your body and mind are a complete mess. Don’t lose sight of your mental health and don’t let stress get the upper hand. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that can give you immediate stress relief.

Breathing exercise

If you are tense or stressed, mindful breathing is the one thing that has immediate effect. When you concentrate on your breathing, you take the time to pause for a moment and take it easy. Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose and then breathe out gently through your mouth. Feel how your body relaxes and the oxygen flows through your body.

Let in more sunlight

The sun has a positive effect on our mental health. Getting up with sunlight is part of the natural process of waking up. Sunlight not only stimulates the production of vitamin D, but also serotonin, the happiness hormone. Open the curtains first thing in the morning and enjoy every moment you can in the open air.

Saffron

The healing power of saffron, which has been used since antiquity, is confirmed by new clinical research. Saffron helps stimulate a positive mood but can also have a relaxing or calming effect on our nervous system. It is also shown to boost the immune system, the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. It is a luxurious and natural panacea for stress and negative feelings.

Yoga

Yoga is good for both your physical and mental health. Numerous studies have shown that people who practise yoga have lower levels of cortisol. As the main stress hormone, cortisol is associated with depression and feeling down. So practising yoga is an excellent way of keeping stress at bay.

Smells

Smells have an important effect on us. An aroma can relax you or even boost your energy. Aromatherapy can be used because of its effect on the mind and body. The scent of lavender, for example, has a calming effect and makes you feel wonderfully relaxed. That is why it is ideal for reducing stress.

Back to nature

When you’re stressed, you need peace and quiet. Enjoying nature is an excellent way of escaping from all the pressure. Just 5 minutes of walking in a park, woods or gardens can have an enormous effect on your ability to cope with stress.