If you’ve ever been advised to reduce your stress levels, you’ll know that the thought of de-stressing can feel like another task on your list.
Yet stress relief can be simple, easeful, deeply enjoyable and wholeheartedly worth it.
Here are some natural remedies you may like to try for stress relief.
massage for relieving tension
Massage is one of the first stress-relieving activities that comes to mind, and with good reason.
Not only does a massage release tension from your muscles – it also gives you the opportunity to shift into ‘receiving’ mode. If you spend a decent chunk of your waking hours directing your energy outwards, giving, nurturing, planning and problem-solving, spending time simply receiving and experiencing can be profoundly nourishing.
You can also perform self-massage at home. The Cork Peanut Roller is designed to help release tension in your neck, shoulders, arches of your feet or anywhere you like, while the Cork Cylinder Roller is great for targeting larger areas such as your quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves.
The Clove & Mint Recovery Balm, which delivers aromatherapy benefits while you work the balm into tired muscles, is also a great addition to home massage.
aromatherapy and essential oils for stress relief
Transform your home by using aromatherapy for stress relief. Whether you’re adding essential oils to an oil burner or diffuser or applying oils to your pulse points with a roll-on, aromatherapy can be a powerful and transporting experience.
Add the Signature Blend Bubble Bath to your bath for a relaxing and restorative bathing ritual. The presence of steam can make for an especially fragrant aromatherapy journey as the essential oils of the Signature Blend are released (including rose geranium, lavender and patchouli), while magnesium and chamomile combine to improve emotional wellbeing. This natural bubble bath is enhanced with organic calendula, argan and jojoba oil for soft and supple skin.
Meanwhile, the Calm Essential Oil Blend includes stress-relieving lavender, bergamot and ylang ylang, and the Dream Essential Oil Blend contains mandarin, orange and patchouli for deep relaxation.
herbal teas for relaxation
Drinking herbal tea offers stress relief in two ways: through the effect of the herbs themselves, and through the ritual of pausing to sip tea.
Herbs that promote relaxation include chamomile, lavender, passionflower and lemon balm.
One of the great things about herbal tea is that you can drink it any time of day – first thing in the morning as a grounding ritual; in the afternoon instead of coffee; or as part of your evening wind-down routine.
mindfulness practices
‘Mindfulness’ refers to a range of different practices – including mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a style of meditation where the practitioner notices the present moment, which can be immensely helpful if you’re consistently drawn into the past or the future. It can involve focusing on your breath and noticing thoughts and physical sensations.
Outside of meditation, any activity can be infused with the spirit of mindfulness. In a world where many of us are constantly multi-tasking, bringing mindfulness to acts such as sipping tea, walking or showering can help slow your mind and release stress.
Even taking a moment to simply pause and notice what you can feel, taste, hear, smell and see around you can be a powerful daily exercise in mindfulness.
incorporating natural remedies into daily life
The way you approach stress and stress-relief will depend on your unique situation, but there are some natural remedies that might help.
simple lifestyle changes
journaling
If you find that your mind races during the day or at night, journaling can be helpful. Some people use journaling as a way to pour out their deepest feelings; it can also be a quick and easy exercise in jotting down some things that are troubling you or noting three things for which you feel grateful.
wind-down routine
Crafting a relaxing wind-down routine can create a buffer between your daytime activities and the act of sleep and give your mind and body a chance to slow down before bed.
Many accessories – from mood lamps and essential oils to herbal teas, jade rollers and smudge sticks – can help form your wind-down routine.
breathwork
Intentional breathing is a simple yet very effective tool for releasing stress, and it can be practised anywhere at any time. Breathwork offers a wide range of health benefits thanks to its stress-relieving powers, including lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
tech detox
Constant stimulation is a lot for the brain to process, and practising having periods of time away from devices can give your mind a break. This might involve putting your phone in flight mode after a certain time of night, going for walks without your phone, or spending a day with your phone turned off.
self-acupressure
Acupressure is known to improve circulation, promote muscle relaxation, ease headaches, improve sleep and reduce stress. It can also be easily practised at home using your hands or acupressure massage tools such as the Trigger Point Ball, Cork Peanut Roller and Cork Cylinder Roller.
magnesium
It can be beneficial increasing your magnesium through your dietary intake (think: dark chocolate, leafy greens, nuts, legumes, soy products, seeds, whole grains, fatty fish and bananas), or using topical options such as the Magnesium Mist and Mint & Macadamia Recovery Bath.
holistic approaches to stress management
Of course, stress is greatly helped by ensuring your fundamental wellbeing needs are being met: adequate sleep; plenty of water; a nourishing diet rich in fruit and vegetables; and a balance between work, play and rest.
