It is no secret that stress negatively impacts our health. In fact, it is one of the top three factors in the development of chronic disease, including cancer. According to Chris Wark, cancer survivor via natural solutions, the top three contributors of 79 – 95% of cancers, are: diet & lifestyle, environment, & stress. Common sense guides us to know that everything we eat, drink, and put onto our bodies, as well as breathe into our bodies, must be safe, clean, and free of toxins.

While it is essential to educate ourselves and seek out the purest of products on the market to consume, we must also mindfully simplify our lives and support our spiritual & soulful selves. Everything that surrounds us on a daily basis contributes to our physiological and psychological stress profile. Most people do not even realize the various stressors that we encounter. From wifi exposure to the water we drink and air that we breathe, it is a daily challenge.   I’ve put together a list of 9 stress reducing tips to support you on your journey of making positive changes that support stress reduction. If you are suffering in any way, whether it be physically or psychologically, know that you can turn your situation around will these simple suggestions.

9 Stress Reducing Tips

1)  Reduce Screen Time

Flopping in front of the TV after a stressful day in order to relax actually adds stress to your body. There is an electromagnetic field surrounding electronic machines which build up stress in the body. At night, light alters the body’s biological clock (circadian rhythm), and sleep suffers. Research shows that it may contribute to the causation of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.  Blue wavelengths from energy efficient lighting and electronic screens are the most disruptive.

Essential Activity: Reduce screen time including: gaming, television, computer, electronic notebooks & phone use. Consider getting blue light blocking glasses or install an app on your computer that filters the blue/green wavelength at night time.  Read a book or magazine before sleep instead of reading from an electronic device.  Find a notebook and make this your designated gratitude journal. Consider writing down 3 – 5 things from each day that you are grateful for, from ordinary to extraordinary!

2)  Meditation, VisualiZation, Artistic Endeavors

Meditation does not mean that you have to sit still for 20 minutes in silence. There are various forms of meditation. Meditation is a state of deep peace that occurs when the mind is calm and silent. Meditation includes focusing on rhythmic breathing, prayer, affirmations, visualization, gratitude, and being creative.

Essential Activity:  Make time each day to be still, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.  Choose a time of day that you can stick to such as when you wake up, get home from school or work, or before you settle into bed at night.  Choose a form of meditation that resonates with you such as saying prayers, setting intentions, saying affirmations, rhythmic breathing, visualizing being in a dream location, writing in a gratitude journal, sketching, and more.

3)  Sleep

Lack of adequate sleep is a major cause of stress. Our bodies need about 7 – 8 hours of sleep, but growing children need even more to function properly.

Essential Activity:  Begin the unwinding process one hour before sleep time.  If you want to watch television in bed, wear blue light blocking glasses to block the blue/green wavelengths of light from the TV.  Diffuse Lavender essential oil or a calming blend of essential oils that includes Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, and Sandalwood.

4)  Music

The body’s natural rhythm is determined by our heart beat (a waltz beat is the equivalent). The stress is on the first beat of the bar. Music in 4/4 time, like most classical or folk music harmonizes with the body because the stress is also on the first beat of the bar.

Essential Activity:  Listen to classical music at least once a week.  If classical is not your first choice, select music that is 4/4 time without negative lyrics.  Try to listen to calm music more than once a week.  There are plenty of types of meditative and health supporting music choices on the market.

5)  Exercise

Sitting for too long is bad for health & longevity.  Something simple as walking or swimming will reduce stress.  If you need a more high energy activity such as running, bicycling, kickboxing, and more – then go for it.  Just move your body daily as best as you can with or without physical limitations.  Stand up and move around as much as you can if you work at a typical desk job.

Essential Activity:  Move your body in any way that makes you happy.  Take movement breaks by standing up from your seat a few times each hour.  Park your car further away from each entrance of the places you frequent.  If you have legs that are healthy and unrestricted, use them, for they are a gift.  Keep it simple, give gratitude for your legs and just walk.

6)  Electromagnetic Fields

Anything electrical produces and electromagnetic field. Even when an appliance is switched off, but plugged into a wall socket, there is an electromagnetic field. Turn off all devices at night and unplug all appliances that do not need to be plugged in for an extended period of time.

Essential Activity:  Consider investing in protective products for your wifi devices and home smart meter.  Learn about the dangers of EMF’s and limit time spent in places that are exploding with wifi activity.  Spend as much time in nature as possible to counteract the negative effects of electromagnetic fields.  Ground your body with essential oils that come from trees.  Apply and diffuse grounding blends and single tree oils.

7)  Food

Each individual has varying food sensitivities that may yet to be recognized. Undiagnosed food sensitivities can create a tremendous amount of stress on the body and emotions. Eliminating foods that do not agree with us can bring about happiness, calm, and renewed energy.

Essential Activity:  Find a quality integrative or functional medicine doctor who is familiar with food sensitivity testing.  Learn the results, and eliminate dietary choices that contain those allergens.  More than likely your energy will return and that brings overall health & happiness.

8)  Beverages

78% of our society is chronically dehydrated. Avoid beverages that are high in sugar, fructose, corn syrup, GMO’s, and artificial sweeteners. Drinking water at room temperature is easier on the body and is proven to reduce stress headaches.

Essential Activity:  Just drink pure filtered unadulterated water.  I drink water from the Berkey Travel System and it is absolutely delicious.  Pure filtered water from a quality filter system provides Life-Force energy.  I add one drop of the preferred citrus essential oil of my choice at any given time, and it is so much easier to keep myself hydrated.  I choose from tangerine, wild orange, lemon, and lime.  For a refreshing summer drink, I use one drop of spearmint or peppermint essential oil.

9)  Attitude

Having a positive and unattached attitude is the most important thing we can do. In other words, try not to take things personally and always do your best.  The Fifth Agreement is a great book to read.  Having an attitude of gratitude is life changing too.  Give gratitude daily for 3 things.

Essential Activity:  When you feel your mind focusing primarily on negativity, shift your focus to a pleasant memory or location that makes you feel good.  Get out into nature and breathe in the trees and flowers.  Breathing in nature will support your micro-biome, keeping your gut health balanced, thereby supporting a positive attitude.  Health and happiness begins in the gut.  If you are suffering from depression and a negative attitude, look to your gut and make changes to your diet and life circumstances, as best as you can.  Enjoy reading The Fifth Agreement.