Managing Stress with a Multi-Pronged Approach
Stress is a part of life that never ends. When well-managed, it can be motivating, such as when you find ways to make your home office free of stressors and distractions. Once you do things like improving how you handle incoming information and optimize lighting in your workspace, you become more productive and positive during the workday.
But when stress goes unmanaged, both mental and physical health problems can result. The process of stress management is ongoing throughout life, and traditional talk therapy or avoidance may not always be effective enough. The good news is that many different holistic wellness methods are available to suit your personality and needs. In this article, Cheryl Conklin of Wellness Central shares a few of the most popular and effective alternative options.
Why seek multiple methods?
Stress management approaches range from the physical, like aquatic, equestrian, and “adventure” therapy, to the psychological, like role playing and neurofeedback, to the emotion-based, like art therapy, yoga, and meditation. A multi-faceted approach provides a more comprehensive toolkit and can be adjusted individually by preference. Traditional psychotherapy alone does not always translate to change, and there is no shame in supplementing your arsenal with other methods. Overall, incorporating several approaches can help you develop better life skills and more options for a good outcome in your day-to-day life.
Improve your mental health by swimming each day
One alternative method that has been scientifically proven to provide a range of health benefits is swimming. Progress tends to start with a positive attitude. While it may seem simple, LIVESTRONG.COM notes that water-based exercise can significantly boost your mental health, decreasing anxiety and depression while increasing positivity. Regular swimming sessions can also help with chronic pain and insomnia, which have been tied to an increase in drug use, which often creates further difficulties. As such, aquatic therapy has become a key part of alternative therapy, and many health clubs and businesses provide swimming facilities and guided aquatic exercise classes.
Yoga
Used alongside other methods, yoga can also be a useful part of wellness and stress management. Chronic stress can rewire the brain’s systems of emotion and impulse control; withdrawal and isolation intensify this problem with anxiety and depression. Yoga regulates stress hormones and reduces blood pressure, which in turn helps the body to restore the brain to a state of normalcy. As a bonus, regularly attending a yoga group or class will build your support network.
Reiki
Reiki is a form of alternative therapy that has been found to be effective in reducing stress levels in individuals. During a Reiki session, the therapist uses hand movements and light touch to balance the energy within the body. This helps to promote relaxation, reduce feelings of anxiety and tension, and create a general sense of wellbeing. Studies have shown that Reiki can effectively reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and provide an overall sense of calmness. It is a non-invasive, gentle therapy that can be received by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. With its numerous benefits, Reiki can be an effective tool for managing stress and promoting both physical and emotional wellness.
Use meditation to develop a more positive outlook
Stress can be exacerbated by isolation, pessimism, or fear. Mindfulness meditation is the process of diving into those emotions head-on. Like yoga, meditation helps to reduce stress hormones; however, KQED points out that meditation can also create new neural networks in your brain that redirect formerly negative attributes, like a quick temper, into positive behavior, like confidence and self-awareness. Transformation comes with concentration, and regular meditation helps to eliminate the negative consequences of unaddressed chronic stress.
It’s possible to practice mindful meditation in virtually any environment, including at home. Since your living space is where you spend most of your time, be sure it’s conducive to relaxation. Reduce stress and fatigue that’s often associated with clutter and uncleanliness by taking a few simple steps, such as tossing those stacks of magazines and other unneeded items around the house. You can also bring in a little Mother Nature with a few houseplants, and be sure you allow in as much natural light as possible. Also consider aromatherapy to complement your meditation time.
Consult a professional to put together a plan
Consider combining multiple paths to stress management, trying many, and focusing on the ones that are most helpful. Ultimately, many experts say the best stress management includes a range of approaches. A psychologist or therapist will work with you to create an individual plan that meets your needs and kick-starts your journey. Swimming, yoga, Reiki, and meditation can help develop your mental health and build a sense of community. Stress management can be challenging, and for optimum health, must be incorporated for life, but many resources are available.
Cheryl Conklin created Wellness Central from her desire to share various resources and her thoughts on wellness. Apart from blogging, she enjoys traveling and going on endless adventures, and writing about her experiences at the end of the day.
Picture Credit: Pixabay.com
