5 Time Tested Ways to Dissolve Stress
Most of us can attest to the
fact that stress is reaching epidemic proportions in modern
society. Balancing work, family, health, money, etc. is a
challenge that many of us feel ill equipped to face. Eighty
percent of the doctor visits in our country are stress related.
Our quality of life and health is largely determined by how we
adapt and relate to daily stressors. Excessive stress not only
takes its toll on our bodies, but strips the joy out of life and
suppresses our creative instincts. Without physical health, joy,
and creativity, life is scarcely worth living. Dissolving stress
is certainly possible, but takes a commitment to making
lifestyle choices that create balance throughout our lives. Here
are a few ancient techniques for eliminating stress, increasing
energy, and creating emotional balance. These are some of the
most powerful tools we have for achieving optimal health and
preventing future disease.
1) Meditation: Practiced for thousands of years in many Asian cultures,
meditation has long been recognized as one of the most powerful
tools we have for cultivating peace of mind and balance.
Numerous studies have proven the incredibly positive effect that
meditation has on stress reduction. There are literally hundreds
of meditation techniques taught around the world. For beginners,
the most helpful approach is to start with basic mindfulness
techniques that develop both relaxation and alertness. Once a
basic ground of awareness has been stabilized, then more
advanced meditation practices can be undertaken. Meditation is a
practice that helps us identify with stillness and silence. It
cultivates intuition and surrender. It can deeply help just
about anybody, but is truly a miraculous practice for reducing
stress and anxiety. If you want help getting started, click here to get some information on Kevin's guided meditation CD,
Meditation: Mindfulness Practice for Beginners.
2) Yoga: This ancient practice has also been utilized by millions of
people throughout history. Yoga is typically considered a form
of meditation that involves putting the body into a variety of
poses in combination with deep breathing to induce mental
clarity, increased energy, and physical strength and
flexibility. The healing benefits of yoga have been repeatedly
documented by a variety of clinical studies. There are many
forms of yoga and it is best to experiment to determine which
form feels the most helpful for your needs. I highly recommend
combining yoga with sitting meditation, as they work
synergistically to induce deep states of relaxation.
3) Acupuncture: One of the pillars of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture
has been practiced for at least 2,500 years. Perhaps one of the
last truly holistic forms of healthcare remaining on the planet,
acupuncture works with the Qi (life force ) of the body in order
to induce a variety of therapeutic effects. The safety and
efficacy of this practice are well documented which accounts for
its incredible surge in popularity in the Western world.
Acupuncture is considered one of the most powerful treatment
options for stress reduction. Only seek acupuncture treatment
from licensed acupuncturists ( as opposed to chiropractors or
MD’s who practice acupuncture).
4) Herbal
medicine: There are a variety of both Chinese and
Western herbal formulas that have been clinically proven to
reduce stress and create emotional balance. Herbs are much less
concentrated than pharmaceuticals, which is why they have far
less side effects (but can still be as effective). If you are
interested in this treatment option, many acupuncturists can
skillfully prescribe herbal formulas. This is recommended over
buying herbs over the counter with little knowledge of their
intended usage.
5) Nutrition: Eating a diet high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and
low glycemic carbohydrates can go a long way toward healing
stress. The standard American diet (high in processed foods,
saturated fat, sugar, and transfats) has been linked to anxiety,
depression, and increased stress in numerous studies. Change
your diet to an organic, whole foods approach and both your body
and mind will reward you beyond measure. Poor adaptability to
stress is often a sign that our brains are starving for
nutrients that we aren’t getting from our standard American
diets.
Making these lifestyle
changes may not be easy in the initial phases. It is often
helpful to seek out the support of a health care practitioner to
guide you through these transitions. Once you start feeling the
enormous payoff of making such changes, there truly is no
turning back. Your stress will dissolve, your weight will
decrease, and your energy will skyrocket, not to mention the
preventative measures you are taking for heart health. Isn’t
that enough to warrant making a few changes?
Call North York Acupuncture & Physiotherapy today at 416-455-0351
to set up your first appointment today!
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