Learn simple techniques to unlock your body’s natural stress relief mechanisms and take the edge off your overwhelm.
- Practice deep breathing
Engage in deep breathing exercises whenever you feel overwhelmed. Breathe in slowly through your nose, allowing your abdomen to expand, then exhale deeply through your mouth. Deep breathing lowers cortisol levels, while triggering the body’s parasympathetic relaxation response.
- Eat dark chocolate
Indulge in a piece of dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or higher for an instant dose of feel-good. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that boost endorphin and serotonin levels, creating a calming effect and improving mood.
- Put the kettle on
Brew yourself a cup of chamomile, lavender, or lemon balm tea. These herbal infusions contain bioactive compounds that increase levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm the mind and ease stress.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation
Tense and relax each muscle group in your body, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head. This technique reduces muscle tension, triggers endorphins, and promotes overall relaxation.
- Embrace the power of music
Listen to calming music or create a playlist of your favorite soothing tunes. Listening to music you love stimulates the release of dopamine, a happy hormone that improves mood and reduces stress.
- Drop in on a yoga class…
Practicing gentle yoga movements activates the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins and reducing stress hormones like cortisol.
- … or get moving with cardio
If yoga’s not your speed, try 30 minutes of aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging, or dancing instead. This releases endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers, to uplift your spirits and improve your stress resilience.
- Practice positive affirmations
Repeat positive statements to yourself, such as "I am calm and capable" or "I have done this before and I can do it again." This activates the release of oxytocin, boosting feelings of well-being and self-assurance.
- Prioritize good sleep
When you're well-rested, your body produces less cortisol and releases more melatonin—a hormone that regulates sleep and induces relaxation. Establish a soothing bedtime routine, create a sleep-friendly environment, and aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
- Take the Mood Pill
Our daily stress-fighting formula combines potent herbs, adaptogens and antioxidants that help soothe and synchronize the nervous system, restoring calm and regulating the body’s stress response.
Photo cred: Slim Aarons