Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life, no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Since it can project harmful effects on our physical and mental health, it is essential that we learn to cope with it. When we find a way to reduce the stress that we all face on a daily basis and find inner peace, we will be able to function normally and live a high-spirited life along the way. If you’re unsure about the habits you can introduce in your daily schedule to make you feel less stressed, don’t worry, we have compiled a list of some popular methods you can start with.

1. Stress less with yoga

Yoga is a powerful practice that has been around for centuries. It has kept people calm and at peace. How exactly do the ways that yoga helps you stay stress-free work? Yoga is best known for its ability to release tension in muscles, which in turn release tension in our mind. The connection between our body and mind is very strong during yoga practice. After a yoga class, you feel relieved and free of tension that has been piling up in your body and mind. Yoga also creates a neurotransmitter that affects our mind positively and reduces depression and anxiety feelings we might experience. It teaches us to breathe in the right way since the inhaling and exhaling processes can have calming effects on our nervous system. There are too many things we need to focus on during our regular daily routines and yoga helps us with that by teaching us to focus. Every part of yoga teaches us to be mindful. Yoga philosophy promotes gratitude for every good thing we’re in possession of, self-compassion and letting go of negative feelings and tension.

Having a hobby is an excellent stress reliever. By having a hobby, you devote time to doing something creative and relaxing that can bring you much-needed peace of mind. There are many reasons why hobbies can be the best stress busters. Dedicating time to something you enjoy doing after a long, stressful day brings you pleasure and pumps you up with energy. It is one of the best ways to get to know yourself better and to establish a more profound connection to your inner self. Hobbies bring enthusiasm and fun into your life while exploring your potential. Your personality will become much more intricate by practising even one hobby. Hobbies are also a great way to make new social connections by hanging out with like-minded people. These free time activities can also bring you some new opportunities. You never know how and when they can come in handy. Being a fresh and lively thing, it brings that zing back into your life.

3. Stress prescription - spend time in nature

According to some recent studies, spending time in nature for at least 20 minutes per outing decreases stress. This practice of spending time in nature and embracing all the positive effects it offers is referred to as ‘taking the nature pill.’ So, if you feel stressed, take a 20-minute nature pill! Scientists can’t actually confirm how much time and what aspects of nature exactly trigger this change in our stress hormone cortisol, but they are completely sure about the positive effects it has on our body and mind. Spending quality time in nature, becoming one with it and being a part of its harmony are only some of the things we experience. The authors of the aforementioned study have an idea of ‘nature prescription,’ that doctors can prescribe to their patients as a treatment that doesn’t cost a thing and is highly effective.

So, how can you include the ‘nature pill’ into your already busy schedule? Well, you can try combining a few things. For example, you can join spending quality time in nature, riding bikes and spending time with your family into one all-inclusive activity. Imagine this: it’s a nice warm spring afternoon, you and your spouse are back from work, the kids are back from school, you had your lunch – and now what? The best way to absorb the positive energy from nature and your family while doing some physical exercise is to take out your folding e-bikes and take a stroll down your neighbourhood.  Another option, which also saves time by combing two activities is that you ride your e-bike to work: you spend time in nature while travelling to work. And if your work is a bit far away, don’t worry, these modern bikes offer electric assistance up to 50km.

4. Food that helps with stress and anxiety

Food plays a major role in our health. It is becoming more and more clear how the food we consume affects our brain. Scientists actually refer to the gut as the ‘second brain,’ since they’ve come to the conclusion that food triggers certain neurotransmitters and brain chemistry that affects the feelings of anxiety. In essence, it’s important to eat whole foods and avoid processed ones.

Some of the nutritious super-foods that have mood-boosting properties include asparagus, which is rich in folates (people suffering from depression and anxiety lack this nutrient); avocado with its vitamin B6 which helps the body produce serotonin responsible for mood-boosting (they are also rich in heart-healthy fat that might help reduce anxiety); blueberries which are beaming with vitamin C necessary for repairing and protecting our cells. They are also packed with antioxidants known to reduce anxiety. Other super-foods you can introduce to your diet while being sure they will impact your health and feelings of anxiety and depression positively are almonds, yoghurt, kale, salmon and turkey.

5. Proper time management

People ask themselves whether managing their time can reduce stress and make them happy. Managing of time is important because it reduces the feelings of stress induced by not having enough time to complete all the things you planned. It’s important to plan your time accordingly because getting more done in less time is the key to proper time management. The purpose of time management is to allow you to make more time for the things you love and to restrict the time for some unimportant activities. It’s essential to be aware of what you spend your time on. In that way, you’ll be able to control it. Another key thing is to create a certain system for doing things. When you are able to manage your time properly, you’ll be free of stress by not thinking about whether you’ll have enough time to accomplish everything planned.

6. Spiritual healing

Taking care of your spirituality means being in touch with your inner self in the most genuine way. How can we establish this connection with our spirituality? Spirituality has a different meaning for everybody. So, obviously, the first step is to define what spirituality means to you. Be open to new things and get rid of prejudice if you want to find your spirituality. Spirituality is to be found in simple, pure, raw and natural settings – like nature. Spending time in nature awakens our primitive and basic senses, which can in turn help discover spirituality. Being around positive people means that it is bound to come to positive energy exchanges. This is also true for the pessimistic people, so try to circle yourself with lots of positive energy. Only when you accept that spirituality is a way of life, you will be able to embrace it. Finally, share love.

7. Go to a wellness retreat

Taking care of your spirituality means being in touch with your inner self in the most genuine way. How can we establish this connection with our spirituality? Spirituality has a different meaning for everybody. So, obviously, the first step is to define what spirituality means to you. Be open to new things and get rid of prejudice if you want to find your spirituality. Spirituality is to be found in simple, pure, raw and natural settings – like nature. Spending time in nature awakens our primitive and basic senses, which can in turn help discover spirituality. Being around positive people means that it is bound to come to positive energy exchanges. This is also true for the pessimistic people, so try to circle yourself with lots of positive energy. Only when you accept that spirituality is a way of life, you will be able to embrace it. Finally, share love.

8. Crystal rituals

Healing crystals are used to shift the energy in our body, mind and spirit. They can also easily be used to shift the energy in our environment. How can you transform your home into a sacred space with healing crystals? Well, easily, since every room of your home should be a place for a certain type of stone.  For our living room, being the space where we recharge our energy after a tiring day, carnelian and red jasper would be suitable. Carnelian brings about stimulating energy while red jasper helps it concentrate so you can use it every day. The dining room is often seen as a knowledge space since we share ideas and wisdom there besides food. Chrysocolla crystal enables you to access knowledge from ancient cultures while azurite, on the other hand, generates intuitive knowledge. The bedroom is our intimate space, where we share love either for ourselves or to a partner and hence requires appropriate crystals. Rhodochrosite creates a passionate environment and pink calcite supplies space with nurturing feelings.

9. Calming nighttime routine

As morning routine offers plenty of benefits, so does having a night time routine. Number one is better sleep. If we have sound sleep, we’ll be more productive during the next day. You should avoid late night snacks, sodas and blue light screens emit. Regular sleeping habits also have positive effects on our skin. Before going to sleep, try to relax for some time. It will help you sleep better. Introduce a nighttime routine and you’ll be amazed with the positive effects it has on your body, work performance and mind.

In order to start your spiritual journey towards a fulfilled and content life, make some changes to your lifestyle. Eat healthier food, exercise a bit, meditate, indulge in a hobby, manage your time properly, spend some nature in nature, make your home a space with beaming energy and develop a nighttime routine – introduce these aspects slowly, one by one until you reach the time when leading a high-spirited life has become a lifestyle.

Images source: Freepik.com & Pikwizard.com

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Mianna Korben

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