WELLNESS--If you’re stressed out these days, it’s not surprising. Between natural disasters and potential man-made wars with North Korea there’s a lot to worry about. This incessant worry combined with redlining our bodies with work and other demands leaves little time for self-care.
Much like our daily work and task schedules, self-care can be added to our list of things to do. In fact, for me it is it’s own list all together with very specific things that I consider self-care and which help me decompress in order to remember what’s important through all of the mayhem.
These 5 free or almost free stress busters are sure to take you back down to earth.
- Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt is a home remedy that has been around forever as a home remedy, and there have been a few studies showing the active ingredient Magnesium sulfate to be beneficial, there is no doubt that a hot bath with Epsom salt will take the edge off and leave you feeling relaxed and ready for a great nights sleep.
- We have gone over this one again and again, but I can’t say enough about it. This is one area where east truly meets west with the ancients and Sufis along with the modern scientists of the west touting the incredible benefits of meditation. Click here for an in depth article and how-to regarding meditation.
- It’s sounds so simple but I realize for those of us living in a big city, making time for nature may not be as easy as it seems. That said, making time to get out of the city, even if it’s just for the day, can go a long way in distressing us and getting the anxiousness under control. One of these Sundays grab a picnic and your friends and family and head out to a big park or body of water for the day and watch the clouds go by.
- I’m not referring to stress eating a bunch of cookies or brownies. On the contrary, studies have long linked poor food choices with higher levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and stress. Make time to eat healthy nourishing foods, and remember if you are walking around hungry there is a good chance your blood sugar may be low contributing to low energy and irritability. Eat healthy for you and everyone around you.
- Turn off your phone. There is a direct correlation with cell phone use and heightened levels of depression and anxiety. More and more studies are being released proving these damaging effects. Apps like Instagram and Facebook are proving to lower self esteem because everyone is only posting the best parts of their lives distorting reality and making everyone who looks at those apps feel like their lives are less interesting and less fulfilling than everyone around them.
The only way our self-care regimens improve is if we take the time and make it a priority. No one else can improve the way you treat yourself besides you, and if you don’t feel supported by your friends and family that may be a sign that you have to lead the way when it comes to putting yourself first. Get out there and start making better choices and see how quickly your life improves. As usual, if you have any questions regarding this or any health topic, please feel free to contact me.
(Christian Cristiano is an acupuncturist in LA, TV host of Wellness for Realists and writes on wellness regularly for CityWatch. Christian can be reached at 310.909.6956 twitter: @CristianoWFR)
-cw
