It’s hard to sit through a one-hour television program these days without seeing a commercial for a prescription drug that addresses stress related illnesses like anxiety, depression and even GI issues which can be directly correlated to too much stress.

Beautiful natural settings show actors who are usually good looking and there’s a pleasant voice over reciting the side?effects like it’s no big deal to experience heart palpitations, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, and often?- death.

Unless there’s a tragic event, small doses of stress can creep up on us. It’s like eating a couple of cookies after dinner every night. You don’t notice the extra weight until it’s too late.

Fortunately, a more holistic approach to living is beginning to emerge. It’s the route I chose to take over 30 years ago for an anxiety and panic disorder. Once upon a time nature was all we had to heal ourselves.?It pleases me to see that more and more people are demanding natural ways to deal with life’s ups and downs.

I’m passionate about natural health options and am excited to share?some of my go-to tips?for stress management. Some may seem like common sense, but I’ll bet if you examine your life a little more closely you’ll see that?there may be room for improvement.

• Sleep – I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. If you only did this one thing, you would see an enormous difference in the way you handle stress. Ideally, sleeping between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM is best. Try it for one week and see?what you think. What have you got to lose?
• Eat – Try to eat five times a day. I know that sounds crazy, but often when blood sugar drops due to skipping meals or eating processed/unhealthy food choices, it increases stress. Portion control is key to avoid gaining weight. Small snacks between meals should be something like a 1/4 cup of almonds, plain greek yogurt with fresh fruit or veggies with hummus. For more help with healthy eating, check out my 15 Days of Clean Eating blog posts.
• Breathe – Deep breathing calms the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn lowers stress levels. Repeat this little mantra to help calm yourself – “breathing in and down” (inhale deeply without forcing the air in), “up and out” (as you gently exhale, contracting the abdominal muscles).
• Meditation – Meditation does not have to be a mystery. There are a lot of guided meditations that are like hitting a reset button. My favorites are?Relax by Andrew Johnson and The Relaxation Response by Dr. Herbert Benson.
• Rescue Remedy – Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic preparation that helps with acute stress situations. It comes in a spray, pastilles and liquid melts. They also have Rescue Remedy for Pets!
• Essential Oils – I am a huge fan of essential oils for mood management. Essential oils have been around since ancient Egyptian times. Lavender, Frankincense, Wild Orange, Balance, ClaryCalm, and Elevation are just a few of the many oils than can help bring about a state of well-being. They’re incredibly powerful and economical too.

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” ~ unknown

If you’re taking prescription medication for anxiety or depression, it’s important not to stop cold turkey. Be sure to speak to a wellness professional about how to wean yourself off as you?transitioning to a more natural way of healing.

Do you have a favorite way to de-stress? I’d be grateful if you were willing to?share it below. Be well.