10 tips to reduce stress and increase wellbeing

Good Posture

Be aware at all times of how you are sitting and standing and aim to keep your spine as straight as possible a simple way to put the body into alignment is too pull the belly button back towards the spine whilst imagining there is a string from the top of the head pulling you upright. Maintaining good posture will not only help you look taller and slimmer but will help to prevent spinal problems and muscular discomfort from developing in the future.

Regular Exercise

Too keep the body healthy aim to exercise daily, choose a sport that you enjoy to motivate you. Aerobic exercise such as running, cycling or swimming done at least 3 times a week for an hour each time are excellent ways to increase your fitness levels although gentler activities such as walking or yoga are equally effective. If you wish to lose excess weight or tone the body aim to increase your workouts, the release of endomorphins as a result will lead to a happier and healthier you!

Healthy Diet

This consists of increasing your consumption of fruit and vegetables whilst limiting your intake of refined carbohydrates, sugar,caffeine,alcohol and processed food to prevent diabetes or heart problems from occurring. You should also aim to drink at least 2 litres of water a day,if you suffer from regular headaches or your urine is dark in colour it is likely you are dehydrated and need to drink more fluids. Herbal teas such as green tea is beneficial as it contains antioxidants and ginger in any form is excellent to ward off colds,nausea or to aid with digestion. Supplements can also be helpful to support a healthy diet.

Daily Stretches

Too maintain suppleness in our muscles and joints and to prevent muscular discomfort from developing in our body regular stretching is advised particularly before and after a workout. Yoga and Pilates are excellent ways to relieve tension in the mind and body and for people with desk bound jobs it is advised to take regular breaks to stretch whenever possible and also to develop good posture to prevent discomfort from occurring.

Deep breathing

A more effective breath can be practiced by breathing from the diaphragm and not the chest,by filling your lungs to capacity the amount of oxygen that goes into the blood stream is maximized which instantly relieves stress  and brings the body into balance. Too instantly lower the heart rate in times of anxiety practice breathing in through the nose for a count of 5 seconds,holding the breath for 5 seconds and then breathing out through the mouth for 10 seconds and repeat at least 3 times.

Focused Meditation

The key to a relaxed body and mind and to maintain internal balance and  create a sense of well being  is to practice meditation on a daily basis for at least 10 minutes. It can be difficult to practice at first as the mind may get distracted but persevere as the end result is worth it. You do not have to attend classes to learn how to meditate although it can be helpful in the beginning to help you focus,it can be as simple as lying down in a dimly lit room with candles and soft music playing and focusing into your breath.If you are able to meditate first thing in the morning it will calm your mind and help you stay focused the entire day.

Essential oils

There are so many benefits from using essential oils and a variety of ways in which to use them as their therapeutic properties are absorbed directly into the blood stream .They can be added to a base oil for a massage blend ,added to the bath,used in lotions, added to steam diffusors to clear polluted air or energy or used neat to provide relief from certain conditions. Eucalyptus used as a steam inhalation for colds,a few drops of Lavender oil on the pillow to help aid sleep and relaxation and tea tree oil used on blemishes to improve skin tone. There are so many uses and they vary widely.

Comforting Crystals

A powerful and highly effective way to provide clarity and peace of mind is too practice using crystals in your daily life,they can be worn as jewellery,carried in your pocket or displayed at home and have multiple beneficial properties associated with each one. The quartz crystals are the most powerful, consisting of clear quartz the master healer,Amethyst to increase spiritual awareness and Rose quartz to soothe the heart. Choose the crystal you are drawn too then hold it to see if you feel a warmth radiating,if so it’s the right one for you. Remember to cleanse regularly for them to work most effectively.

Epsom salts

For immediate relief from aching muscles and joints  having a bath in Epsom salts is not only incredibly relaxing but also highly beneficial. The health benefits have been known for some time, the reason being is that they are medicated and designed to relax tight muscle fibres, alleviating stiffness unlike perfumed salts which may smell nice but have no physical effect .A soak in the bath with some added  will  provide instant relief from discomfort . If you do not have a bath try using the shower gel or soap which can be equally beneficial.

Massage balls

Following on from a bath with Epsom salts using a massage ball on areas of tension can be extremely effective. While the muscles are still warm put on a thin layer of clothing then lower yourself onto the ball and using  the weight of your body allow the spikes of the ball to penetrate into areas of tension to break down adhesions and provide relief.Use the appropriate ball size for the area being worked on. A tennis ball is also a good substitute. Practice keeping the ball still and work on one area at a time only moving the ball when discomfort can no longer be felt.