Para o corpo curar a mente precisa de superar os obstáculos que encontrar
 


 

Turn distress to de-stress

 

How can we help ourselves in stressful situations? How can we help ourselves cope better with stress?


In order to cope positively with stress we must first assess its level – how significant or controllable the stressful event is and how can we deal with it. You must ask yourselves – is it in my power to change the situation? If not, am I able to control my emotional reaction? Do I believe I can successfully get through this event?


Time management- A lot of the pressure comes from the fact that the time available to us to perform the action we were required to perform is shorter than what we actually need. The solution is time management. Prioritizing. Keep a list of the tasks you need to do in descending order from most important to least important. Give yourselves positive reinforcements if you have completed the most important tasks on that list. Try to check how much time you spend on watching silly TV shows and see how you can shorten that amount of time while dedicating most of it to more productive and enjoyable things.


Breathing and relaxation- The simple act of conscious breathing (inhaling and exhaling), while focusing on the word “release”. You can also combine different relaxation techniques such as: Meditation, Yoga, Massage, Guided Imagination, Tai Chi.


An interesting technique I got to know throughout the years is “worrying time”: Free-up half an hour a day where you can worry about everything and anything, but when that time finishes don’t allow any of those worries to resurface and interrupt the rest of your day. You can choose anytime of the day except right before bedtime.


Physical activity- Regular physical activity helps to deal with stress. Causes the release of serotonin which is known to reduce stress and improve the mood.


Correct nutrition- If we eat regular and nutritious meals (not just junk food and a ton of coffee) our body will be able to deal with stress better. It is recommended to devote time to meals and not just swallow them up quickly. Take meal time as a time to relax and release.


Good and high-quality sleep- Give yourself the opportunity to get a good and restful night's sleep. Try to go to sleep a few minutes before midnight, after that the body starts to raise its level of alertness.


Nutritional supplements that can help deal better with stress:

  • Complex B50- known to cancel-out the effects of stress.
  • Taurine, GABA, Tyrosine- Amino acids that help prevent reaching uncontrollable stress levels and treat those who are already under stress. *To be taken with the supervision of a Naturopath.
  • Zinc Picolinate- improves the function of the immune system, which gets damaged in stressful situations. * To be taken in the evening (should be taken separately from iron, for those with anemia).
  • Magnesium Citrate- gets reduced in stressful situations, but is fundamental for both stimulation and relaxation.
  • Vitamin C- Helps regulate stress hormones.
  • Selenium- Helps dealing with stress.
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid- Strengthens the body’s energy flow.
  • Melatonin- Helps with sleep disturbances that are caused by stress.


Medicinal Herbs- There’s a wide variety of medicinal herbs that can help in stressful situations, you should seek the advice of a Herbalist or a Naturopath.


Stress is a fact of life. As long as we’re living we may experience stress. In order to deal better with stress the best thing is to adapt a holistic lifestyle, observe your way of life in all of its aspects- emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. Slight changes in your lifestyle can affect these aspects and therefore affect your ability to deal with and decrease stress.