Anxiety and stress are very common issues in the world nowadays. Many people will have experienced one or both of these at some point in their lives. They can impact your day-to-day life in many ways, such as experiencing difficulty concentrating and sleeping issues, headaches, and digestive problems.
When anxiety and stress begin to affect your life, you will be desperate for some way to reduce the symptoms. There are numerous methods of relief, although the effectiveness will differ from person to person. If you are looking for an alternative way to relieve anxiety and stress, then the three methods outlined below could prove useful.
Try Progressive Relaxation
When you experience anxiety and/or stress for a prolonged period of time, tension can begin to build up in your body. It is entirely possible that you will be suffering from muscle tightness without any knowledge of it, and this can cause aching and soreness to occur. This is when it is useful to try a technique called progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).
PMR is a type of therapy that helps to reduce anxiety and stress by consciously tensing and relaxing different muscle groups. It is important to hold the tension in the particular muscle group for a few seconds before releasing it slowly. This enables you to be more aware of the difference in your muscles when they are tense and when they are relaxed.
With enough practice of this technique, you will learn to recognize and release muscle tension; this will result in an overall reduction of anxiety and stress. Several studies have proven this, with one in 2019 showing that it reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, while improving the individuals’ quality of life and well-being.
Book a Lymphatic Drainage Massage
As previously mentioned, muscle tension is a common occurrence when you suffer from anxiety and stress. You might also experience digestive issues, headaches, and high blood pressure. Stress can result in the release of cortisol, which is a stress-fighting hormone, and this can cause metabolic acidosis. This can hinder lymphatic flow because of the breakdown of lymphoid tissue.
This is a lot for your body to go through, and it could cause you to feel even worse. One way to relieve this is through a manual lymphatic drainage massage. A lymphatic drainage massage, like those offered at Brazilian Lymph Spa, can remove toxins and waste from your body, leaving you to feel rejuvenated mentally and physically. It will target muscle tension and boost your immune system, mood, and sleep.
Use Aromatherapy
If you would prefer an easy-to-use and long-lasting way to reduce anxiety and stress, particularly at home, then aromatherapy might be a good option. Aromatherapy uses essential oils to stimulate the olfactory system, which sends signals to the emotional center of the brain, to trigger relaxation. This could potentially reduce stress hormones and release dopamine and serotonin.
There are specific essential oils that are more beneficial for anxiety and stress. Some oils you might want to use include chamomile and lavender; both of these essential oils are known for their calming and relaxing properties. You might also want to try lemon if you are approaching exam season, as this is supposed to be effective with test anxiety.
Most people use a diffuser for aromatherapy, but these essential oils can be massaged into your skin, specifically at your temples or wrists, with a carrier oil like almond oil. It is also possible to add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to a warm bath if you would like to further your relaxation.
To conclude, there are lots of alternative methods to consider when dealing with anxiety and stress. Instead of choosing medication, you might want to try progressive muscle relaxation, lymphatic drainage massage, or aromatherapy.
