Feeling stressed? For Stress Awareness Month, Healthista spoke to nutritionist at sports nutrition brand Warrior, David Stache to find out how we can reduce stress quick
Living in a fast-paced society can be thrilling and exciting but having hectic schedules can eventually leave you feeling stressed and exhausted.
There are various ways that you can destress and ensure that the pressures of busy work and social lives does not get the better of you.
To help you do this, we have caught up with David Stache, Nutritionist at leading sports nutrition brand, Warrior, who gives us his tips on how you can reduce stress.
#1 Go for a walk
Going for a walk and getting fresh air is an excellent way to reduce stress levels. In fact, setting aside just 30 minutes per day to spend time by yourself, or with a friend, gives you an opportunity to leave your stress at the door and distract yourself.
Studies have also shown that walking can trigger the release of endorphins, which generally make us feel happier and boosts our mood.
fresh air is an excellent way to reduce stress levels
Walking also gives you an opportunity to ground yourself, and to put your worries into perspective. Are my stress levels proportionate to what is causing the stress?
Having the time to think and recalibrate on a walk can leave you feeling ready and equipped to tackle whatever life has in store for you that day, rather than feeling burdened by it.
#2 Try CBD
12 million adults in the UK see their GP with mental health problems each year, research from the The Mental Health Foundation has found.
Most of these suffer from anxiety and depression and much of this is stress-related. A shocking 13.3 million working days are lost per year due to stress alone.
CBD is widely known to reduce stress levels, as its therapeutic effect allows us to achieve a level of calm that it enables us to cope better with stress.
CBD is believed to enhance the effects of your natural brain chemicals and receptors within the body’s own endocannabinoid system (a collection of cell receptors related to mood).
A shocking 13.3 million working days are lost per year due to stress alone
Indeed, in one study, 37.5 per cent of respondents said they used CBD for perceived stress, whilst 92.2 per cent said they experienced less stress when using CBD.
With so many CBD products on the market, it can be tricky to nowhere to start, but I would highly recommend the new CBD range from Warrior.
They have just launched a range of CBD Vegan Gummies and CBD Oil, which both offer extensive healing properties, and are non-psychoactive, making them a safe alternative for you to enjoy, with no intoxicating effect.
#3 Practice meditation and/or mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness and meditation are other fantastic ways to reduce stress. There are several apps that are available at the touch of a button that can give you mindfulness techniques and exercises which allow you to cope better with stress.
Starting your day practicing mindfulness techniques, or spending five minutes before bed meditating, will promote increased productivity and peaceful sleep, which can subsequently reduce stress levels.
Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting with your legs crossed and a scented candle, there are many simple and guided exercises that are easy to incorporate into your daily life that can teach you how to manage your emotions and cope with stress.
there are many simple and guided exercises that are easy to incorporate into your daily life
In fact, sometimes all it takes is some deep mindful breathing. Studies prove this too, with one study looking at subject groups who performed yogic breathing for 20 minutes.
Participants’ saliva was then tested for biomolecules that were indicative of stress and inflammation in the body. The researchers measured the amount of molecules present before, during and after the exercises.
They found that compared to the control group who did not practice the breathing exercises, the group practicing the calm breathing techniques contained a noticeably fewer stress and inflammation indicating molecules.
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