With everything going on in the world, stress is currently high, resulting in unhealthy eating, excessive alcohol consumption, a lack of sleep, and even some clinical depression.
Dealing with stress can be frustrating; it also places a toll on our minds, bodies, and skin. And what's worse, many do not know how to relax, which causes you to stress even more. But no worries as we are here to share with you our "Top 10 tips to relax and relieve stress."
Number 1-Reduce Stress And Anxiety Naturally With Adaptogens
In a nutshell, Research shows adaptogens can combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, ease depression and anxiety, and help you thrive rather than merely struggling through life. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, adaptogens are plants that have been around for centuries.
One adaptogen that has powerful health benefits for easing stress and anxiety are mushrooms. While mushrooms may be new to some, they have been used since ancient Egyptians' time for their numerous health benefits.
How Mushroom Powder Extract Supplement Can Help Relieve Stress
One mushroom, Reishi, which you can find in our SUPERFOOD 10 Organic Mushroom Powder Extract is an excellent way to calm your racing mind and reduce anxiety and tension. It is also perfect for helping you to unwind and relax. And for those suffering from a lack of sleep, this mushroom is ideal at keeping you grounded, helping to foster resilience over time.
Are you having trouble staying focused throughout the day? Lion's mane, another ingredient in our mushroom powder, has been shown to support cognitive and clarity.
Ready to jump on the 'shroom supplement bandwagon? If so, continue reading as we have some amazing ways you can implement mushroom powder extract into your diet.
Ways You Can Add Organic Mushroom Powder To Your Recipes
The fantastic thing about having mushrooms in powdered extract form is it can be used in many recipes. Mushroom powders can be brewed as a tea or mixed into coffee, lattes, even shakes. It can also be mixed into your foods in a variety of ways very quickly. For example:
Mushrooms add a nutty taste and can be added to broths, soups, protein drinks, breakfast superfood bowls. They are also fantastic to add to your scrambled eggs, grandma’s meatloaf, or toss in the tail end of a simmering pasta sauce.
As you can see, the possibilities of using an organic mushroom powder for cooking are endless. Which brings us to our next way to relax and relieve stress.
Picture provided by Nourishing Nutrients
Number 2- Use Cooking As A Form Of Stress Therapy
An article in the Wall Street Journal discusses how cooking can help to relieve stress. Even some clinics are using cooking as a form of therapy. Instead of seeing cooking as a chore, set aside some days to cook some of your favorites as a fun activity that can help you stay stress-free.
Number 3- Physical Activity Can Help To Reduce Stress
Exercise increases your overall health and well-being, which puts more pep in your step. But physical activity also has some direct stress-busting benefits, see some of these below.
- Improves your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, anxiety, and depression.
- It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often labeled as a runner's high, activities like bike riding and hiking can also provide this same feeling.
- It's meditation in motion. After an aerobics class or laps in the pool, you'll often find that you've forgotten the day's issues. Ridding your tensions through physical activity can help your mind to focus on a task instead of worrying about your day, ultimately providing positivity, calmness, and clarity.
- It improves your mood.
- Increase self-confidence.
- Provides relaxation.
Number 4-Find Your Me Time-And Enjoy It
Whether you are spending time working or you have a family to take care of (or both), it can often feel like you rarely get any time to yourself. However, taking some time just for yourself without having to deal with anyone else is crucial if you want to be able to function in the long term.
Something as simple as spending only 15 minutes alone every day, without distractions, can be a savior to those who feel overwhelmed. It can be things as simple as...
- Going to the spa
- Hanging out with your pet
- Listening to your favorite music
- Meditation
- Reading a book
- Taking a walk
- Taking a bubble bath
- Watching Netflix
Picture by canva
Number 5- Just Say No
Overloading yourself is a sure path to emotional destruction. It would be best if you learned to prioritize, and this starts with saying NO! The truth is that there is nothing wrong with just saying no, especially if you are honest when saying so. This is especially true if you find yourself taking on more than you can handle. Finding ways to dial it back can help to prevent stress and anxiety.
Number 6-Stop Procrastinating
Do you do everything at the last minute? If so, stop! Procrastination can cause you to feel overwhelmed and scrambling, setting off anxiety and stress. You want to get in the habit of creating a to-do list by priority. Another tip is to complete the task you hate the most first. Get it off your list. Otherwise, you may find yourself avoiding the list. After that, focus on small batches at a time, and set realistic deadlines.
Number 7-Yoga
Research shows that yoga can heighten your mood and is the perfect way to relax your mind and put your body at ease. Yoga also helps lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and modulates the stress response.
Picture by canva
Number 8- Connect With Friends
Unfortunately, our digital age for some has replaced frequent person, to person contact. And with the pandemic, comes even more isolation, and if you live alone, you can find yourself lonely and depressed.
Humans are social creatures, and we crave attention, feeling appreciated, and valued. Studies show that being socially connected increases happiness, which leads to a longer life. If it is impossible to meet some friends for some outdoor distancing activities, why not try to schedule a virtual night out with the girls, using ZOOM to help overcome those feelings of loneliness and depression?
Number 9- Laughter Is Amazing For Your Health
The expression that laughter is the best medicine is real. Laughter stops those worrying thoughts. It also helps you shift perspective, allowing you to see situations in a positive, optimistic light.
Laughter further assists with
- Boosting the immune system.
- Protecting the heart.
- Relaxing body.
- Triggering the release of endorphins.
Picture by canva
Number 10-Treat Yourself With Some Chocolate
We left the best for last! So, go ahead, indulge in some chocolate as there is evidence that eating dark chocolate can reduce stress. Wanna a real mental boost? How about some Shroom Hot Chocolate?! It's actually yummy – and a wonderful way to provide antioxidants and improve your mood! And if you think that sounds delicious, you need to check out this Mushroom Chocolate Recipe.
The Takeaway
Stress is and will be a part of our everyday lives, but that does not mean we need to allow it to get the best of us. how we learn to deal with the cards we're dealt, take charge, and control your stress by implementing some of the tips above.
Links
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/1/188
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom-benefits#section4
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#section1
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-road-to-mental-health-through-the-kitchen-1418059204
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128028629000049
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002239561500206X
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123612.htm