9 Ways to De-Stress: Fun Activities That Releases Stress And More

The stress level among North Americans has reached an all time high. For many, the balance between rest, laughter, play, spending time in nature, social activities and meditation was lost long ago. Experts believe that seventy five to ninety percent of all illness are either caused by or made worse by stress.

Research has found that stress lowers the immune system and chronic stress will eventually weaken the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for stress management through proper regulation of the hormone cortisol. When imbalance in the adrenal hormones occur, heart rate, blood pressure and sodium levels increase, blood thickens and heart irregularity begin to occur, which lead to heart disease and possibility of a stroke.

Unfortunately, many individuals are unaware of their stress level and the silent impact it is having on their health. Individuals who must have coffee in the morning to get into gear, typically suffer from adrenal fatigue. Symptoms include anxiety, depression, irritability, headaches, skin problems, weight gain, bone loss, poor concentration, memory loss, food allergies, poor quality sleep or sleeplessness, fatigue, lower back pain and sugar cravings.

Then their are the more obvious sources of daily stress such as rushing to meet deadlines, arguing with children or spouse, dealing with work related frustrations and anxieties and putting up with a stressful commute to and from work each day. Many people do not realize that noise is a form of stress. Research has found that people who live near busy highways or the airport develop more illnesses. To make matters worse, the typical North American diet compounds stress levels on the body. Having this level of daily stress may seem normal, but it isn’t practical for a long, healthy life.

1) Change Your Diet - It’s important to eliminate sources of stress where possible, but for those stressors that cannot be avoided there are steps that can be taken to better cope with the stress. The liver is responsible for detoxification of virtually all toxins that are ingested which include alcohol, damaged fats found in all fast and processed foods, antibiotics, food preservatives and additives. Having to continually deal with this heavy load weakens the liver’s ability to deal with stress. Consuming a healthy plant-based diet which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds will not only revitalize the liver but will bring much needed balance to the adrenal glands. Water or juice fasting is an excellent way to give the liver a rest and detoxify the body.

2) Aromatherapy - has been used effectively for centuries for many health conditions. It has been gaining popularity in recent years in North America. In Japan aromatherapy is added to the ventilation system of office buildings to calm workers and mixed with laughing gas administered to patience in dental offices to keep them calm. Aromatherapy is can be used anywhere and is easy to use. Simply inhale the aroma. Smell is the only sense capable of directly accessing the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. The brain registers aromas much more quickly than pain which what makes it so powerful and effective.

3) Yoga - According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Yoga is highly effective for reducing stress. The study involved 19 individuals who were placed in an hour session of yoga or an hour reading session. Before and after the session the level the anti-anxiety chemical (GABA) gamma aminobutyric acid was measured. Those who engaged in the hour session of yoga has an average of a 27 percent increase of GABA while those who engaged in reading had no change.

4) Stress Supplements - GABA can be synthesized in the body from the amino acid glutamine which is available for as a nutritional supplement. A good multivitamin plus additional vitamin B complex, C and zinc will help to lower stress levels. Herbs that are effective in stress management include rhodiola which increases resistance to chemical and physical sources of stress, support the adrenal glands and immune system and contributes to heart health. Siberian ginseng increases endurance, strengthens adrenals and ability to cope with stress. Ashwagandha has proven to be effective at reducing stress, boosting immune function and increasing energy.

Suma is able to improve hormone function, increase energy and improve nerves. Schizandra berries are useful for combating insomnia, nervousness, stress and fatigue. The key to a healthy, long life is to find a balance between healthy diet, supplementation and enjoyable stress-free activities.

5) Laughter - releases healthy hormones that make you feel good and release excess stress. It also puts you in a positive frame of mind and prevents negative, stress promoting thoughts.

6) Sports - Exercise is a great stress reliever. Getting physically active through sports activities has the added benefit of creating enjoyment, and a positive mindset, which helps to release stress.

7) Weekend Getaways - an inexpensive way to get away from it all and do the things you enjoy for a little while. A great stress releaser.

8) Music - Music can sooth, inspire and distract you from stress promoting thoughts.

9) Games - board games, card games, computer games. Any type of game that distracts and puts you into a positive frame of mind will release stress.

Continuing on a path that leads to chronic illness doesn’t make sense. Now is the time to make the necessary changes. Making a conscious effort to change your diet and engage in stress releasing activities on a regular basis is best medicine for stress overload.