Do you sometimes wonder how you can best manage stress and/or anxiety? Here we share how we work to reduce stress-related problems and create more energy and calm instead.
What is stress, really?
Stress and anxiety can be described in many different ways in everyday language; it can be related to situations involving finances, health, relationships, work, or other areas. But did you know that the body's reaction to stress is the same in all these cases? Our "fight-or-flight response" is a built-in safety system that releases hormones and nerve impulses that prepare us to handle an immediate danger. The body and mind are on high alert and focused on powerful actions that will help us escape – or eliminate – the danger.It is a healthy and vital response for dealing with accidents or acute physical threats. Problems arise when we, like most of us modern humans, experience a certain level of this fight-or-flight response over extended periods. We may worry about what others think of us, that we or someone we love might get sick, that we won't have enough money, and so on. Our bodies are simultaneously exposed to physical stress through environmental pollution and unnatural food additives. It can be easy to believe that the stress level we live with is "normal," but over time it leads to a long series of negative effects for both body and mind.
The Body Has a Built-in System for Managing Stress
During all the time we're not in acute danger, we're designed to be in a more relaxed and balanced state. There is an opposite response built into us that some researchers have suggested we call our "rest-and-digest system." It's triggered by things like closeness to other people, massage and touch, beautiful natural surroundings, as well as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises. When this system is active, hormones and nerve impulses are released that tell the body we can relax, build up muscles, immune system, and nervous system; that we can recover and allow ourselves to be more creative.If we have been exposed to prolonged stress in various ways (which we largely have if we live in a modern society), we need to consciously "reinstall" our rest-and-digest system. We simply must accustom our bodies to this state in order to find our way back to calm, energy, and clarity. Here are some of the best strategies to do just that:
5 ways to activate the body's rest-and-digest system
1. Mental balance
Today, much of the stress we experience has its roots in thought patterns we learn from childhood. There is much to gain by becoming aware of these patterns and examining for ourselves what is true for us and what creates well-being and progress in our lives. There are many methods for this.
2. Touch & Closeness
Closeness to other people in general and loving touch in particular is one of the quickest and most effective ways to communicate to the body that the "rest-and-digest system" can take control and we can relax. In parts of Asia, it's very common for family members to give each other regular massages. Perhaps we can make this a bigger part of our lives here too?
3. Breathing Exercises
Another very effective way to reset the body's compass is through conscious breathing. It's also an excellent way to increase our lung capacity and strengthen our immune system. A very simple but effective exercise that everyone can start with is to take ten deep breaths in the following way: Breathe in and count to 5, hold your breath and count to 10, breathe out and count to 10. If you have smaller or larger lung capacity, you can adjust the exercise to suit you. Count, for example, to 3-6-6 or 10-20-20 instead.
4. Being in Nature
Being in a natural environment and simply being present for a while. Do you remember the last time you did that? If not, let this be a reminder to schedule some time for yourself in the forest, on a mountain, or at a beach right away. It is incredibly restorative and balancing to be in an environment that doesn't demand anything from us, preferably for a little while every day. In nature, there's nothing to read, take a position on, or try to solve – it signals to us to just be, which lowers our blood pressure, supports our immune system, and automatically activates our rest-and-digest system.
5. Herbs / Adaptogens
We also have at our disposal a range of fantastic herbs in the class of adaptogens. An adaptogen is an herb or plant that helps the body handle stress and more quickly find its way back to its natural balance and health. For us here at the office, these are indispensable, and we try to consume at least one adaptogen every day. Feel free to explore our fine selection of adaptogens.
