5 Ways to Help Manage Stress

Stress and anxiety is a physiological response to threats or challenges we experience in everyday life. Often, it can be a daily issue. Negative stress can not only affect you but those around you like your family or co-workers. Chronic stress can eventually have long term effects on your physical health. When you are experiencing stress, your amygdala (part of your brain that processes emotions and memories) sends a signal to your hypothalamus which communicates this signal to your nervous system. When this signal does not turn off, it creates an elevation of cortisol levels that will not come down. This can affect many things including your sleep.

Here are 5 ways to help manage stress

Research in behavioral sciences show that even short amounts of time out in nature can have positive effects on stress. Taking time to be outside and bringing plants (and flowers) inside can be helpful.

Being thankful and focusing on those things, for example starting your day by listing 5 things you are thankful can help calm our limbic system.

Exercise can have such a powerful effect on our body and mind. When we exercise we release endorphins which give us a feel good sensation and exercise can also lower stress hormones.

Deep diaphragmatic breathing can help calm the amygdala and bring some relief. Breathe in for your nose for 3 seconds and then breath out through your mouth for six seconds.

Supplements that can have a positive effect on cortisol levels are Ga and Seriphos (for sleep enhancement) These help balance cortisol levels. Ga is good for daily stress and focus. Seriphos is a great way to regulate cortisol rhythms at night and put your mind at ease. We have these products available in the office.