How Complementary Therapies Can Help You Conquer Stress?

Chronic stress will contribute to aging at an accelerated pace and is extremely dangers to your overall health!  Chronic stress not only weakens your immune system, but it also increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, contributes to the development of painful joint and muscle problems and may even play a role in cancer.

Stress increases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body.   Small, temporary increases in cortisol help you cope with stressful events, giving you a quick burst of energy, lowering your sensitivity to pain, stimulating your immune system and helping your body maintain homeostasis.  If your stress response is being frequently activated, your body never has a chance to return to normal.  Sustained high levels of cortisol cause cellular damage.  The key to managing stress is to learn how to turn-on your body’s natural relaxation response. These complementary therapies can help you conquer stress before it conquers you.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a form of bodywork that is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.  Following the same principles as acupuncture, it uses massage to balance the body’s energy force to heal body, mind and spirit.  Of the several types of acupressure in current use, Shiatsu is the most popular.  It uses pressure applied to the body’s acupoints to release blockages and allow the free flow of energy.  It produces a deep relaxation by lowering cortisol levels and triggering the release the stress-reducing hormone oxtyocin.  For a quick fix at home, locate the acupressure point on your hand, between your thumb and index finger, and give yourself a five minute massage using your fingertips in a circular motion.

Aromatherapy

There are a number of essential oils that have a sedative and potentially anti-depressant effects that include inducing relaxation.  Commonly used scents include: Geranium, Lavender, Sandalwood, Basil, Bergamot, Rose, Jasmine, Hyacinth and Valerian. These can be used in a variety of ways from simply taking a few whiffs of the essential oil to adding a few drops to a warm relaxing bath.

Herbal Therapy

There are many herbs that are beneficial in helping to control stress.  Rhodiola Rosea, also known as Golden Root, has been shown to increase stress tolerance while at the same time protecting the brain and heart from the physical affects of stress.  Both Valerian and Passionflower have a relaxing effect on the central nervous system and are often used as a sleep aid.  They are particularly effective for those who have trouble shutting off their minds long enough to get to sleep. Anyone who suffers from stress-related digestive problems may be surprised to learn that catnip isn’t just for cats. It can calm the digestive system.

Autogenic Therapy

Autogenic therapy teaches you techniques for achieving a state of deep relaxation. Part of this involves increasing your awareness of stress and learning to accurately gage how stressed you are.  Recognizing the signs of stress in your body becomes automatic with practice, but in the meantime you can use an inexpensive biofeedback tool to measure your stress.  Since stress lowers the temperature in your extremities, the device measures the temperature of your finger, and gradually changes colour as you relax and your temperature rises.  Through techniques like controlled deep breathing, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation, you can learn to relax at will.

So the next time you are feeling stressed out, try one of these natural, complementary therapies that have been helping people conquer stress for many years.

Hello my name is Nisha, I am the Editor for healthypages.co.uk. I love to write about health and beauty, especially Complementary Therapies, feel free to visit our site for more information Hypnotherapy.