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Looking for Natural Stress Relief

Where do you naturally look for stress relief? At a bar? In front of the TV? My personal favorite is at Krispy Kreme. The point is that the places we naturally go to find stress relief don’t generally give us natural stress relief.

A Healthy Lifestyle

Natural stress relief comes from living a healthy lifestyle. Eating good healthy food, getting some enjoyable exercise and fresh air, spending time with friends, these are all ways to find natural stress relief.

A good, healthy diet is rich in complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and low in fat. The fat you eat is “good” fat, rich in omega-3 oils, and antioxidants.

A few years ago people talked about the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. People who live in Mediterranean countries had less cardiovascular disease and cancer than people in the US, even though their diets were higher in fat and calories. What they discovered was that the Mediterranean diet contains—you guessed it—plenty of complex carbs, fruits and vegetables, and monosaturated omega-3 oils. Plus a little nice red wine, which is high in antioxidants, not to mention, love and laughter, time spent with family, and friends. That’s a real natural stress relief recipe.

Enjoyable exercise provides natural stress relief, too. We’re not talking about goal-oriented or competitive exercise. We’re talking about a nice walk in the evening, skiing on a sunny winter day, or tossing a Frisbee with the kids. You don’t have to monitor your pulse or worry about how long you’ve exercised. You just relax and enjoy yourself while doing something that moves your body. 

Loving relationships and spiritual practices provide natural stress relief. In fact, friendships and spirituality may be the most important factors in developing stress resistance.

Health Care and Natural Stress Relief

Sometimes you’re living a healthy lifestyle and still are stressed out. Sometimes there is a lot of stress to deal with, and you need help to deal with it. Sometimes it’s a good idea to seek help from a health care provider.

Traditional western medicine isn’t big on natural methods and remedies. If you go to a physician for help in dealing with stress, she may have some good ideas for you about lifestyle changes, but if she prescribes anything to help you it’s not likely to be natural.

Alternative health care providers are more likely to use natural stress relief methods. Massage therapists and chiropractors will help relax your muscles and make sure your spine is adjusted. Aromatherapists can tell you which scents are most likely to help relieve your stress. Color therapy can help relieve stress; some colors are soothing and some are stressful. Herbalists can give you advice about stress-relieving plants.

One alternative practitioner who uses a full range of therapies for natural stress relief is a naturopath. Naturopaths go to four years of professional school, just like doctors do, and many of them are also medical doctors. Naturopaths use physical therapies, herbs, nutritional therapy, and many other ways to help you deal with stress. Most of all, they teach you what you uniquely need to learn to find natural stress relief.

Living a healthy lifestyle is the foundation for natural stress relief. Your physician can help you deal with stress, too. If you are looking for natural stress relief, an alternative care practitioner may be the best answer.