<p>The effects of increased stress can leave you feeling run down, decrease your body’s immune response, make you more susceptible to illness, and leave you feeling overwhelmed and on edge. If you are one of those who frequently feels an increased level of pressure and like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it may be time to explore holistic medicines and how natural nutrition can help with stress.. Financial concerns, increased demands of deadlines at work, and tension at home can all cause different stress types that pose a hazard to our everyday lives and can lead to depression, anxiety, as well as a number of other health concerns. Using holistic medicine to help with stress can leave you feeling less stressed, more at peace, and more relaxed, which leads to greater wellness, improved relationships, and increased productivity in our daily lives. One holistic practice that is easy to incorporate into your daily routine that can help with stress and improve your mood is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is simply the practice of using certain natural fragrances available in either plant form or in concentrated essential oils to create certain physiological effects in the body. While aromatherapy is not a new science, many people are discovering the effects that certain scents can have on your frame of mind, sense of peace, and general well being. Two important scents that help with stress and can also alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation are Lilly of the Valley and Vanilla, while scents such as orange or ginger can help energize you and increase motivation. Essential oils are available either for direct inhalation throughout the day or for use in essential oil burners, candles, or room sprays that can all create a lasting, relaxation effect and help with stress. Certain foods and food additives can also interfere with cortisol levels in the body and increase our own stress levels, as well as cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is important to consider the benefits of natural nutrition, and how other foods and supplements can also help with stress. Two beneficial supplements that help with stress are fish oil and co-enzyme Q10. In addition, an adequate supply of B vitamins, as well as a daily supplement of Echinacea can help with stress, boost the immune system, and ward off other invaders such as germs, bacteria, and dangerous toxins. Caffeine, sugar, and other refined and processed foods, as well as trans fats, can all have negative effects on the body as well, create increased cortisol levels in the blood, and leave you feeling run down and more susceptible to illness. Reducing your intake of these kinds of foods in favor of natural nutrition can also help with stress. If you are trying to relieve stress in your own life, it is also important to get an adequate amount of exercise, rest, as well as essential nutrients that your body needs.. In addition to these basic principles, laughter is also a great medicine, and finding ways to laugh daily is a great way to help with stress.
• Regularly walking, eating or working in a rushed way.
• Regularly thinking and worrying about the past or future.
• Frequent tension in the body (esp. neck, face, shoulders, back and chest, and stomach) which often goes unnoticed until one slows down, breaths deep and carefully surveys the body.
• Feeling of the “weight of the world” on your shoulders.
• Emotionally “on edge.”
• Regular tiredness during the day.
• Significant need for outside stimulation to feel good (coffee, sweeteners, food, sex, TV, alcohol, money, accomplishments, etc.)