Relax & Refresh - Stress Control

Woman meditating

We all go through periods of lacking energy and current world events have left a lot of us feeling drained. It can be hard to cope with as we have come to accept it is a part of our lifestyle. As a result, you may suffer from tiredness along with headaches, muscle and joint pain, loss of memory or poor concentration. The severity of these symptoms varies for everyone and there are different approaches that are useful for anyone who might what to overcome this or avoid reaching an extreme stage of fatigue.

Slow down, take a moment to breathe. Meditation is a habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. Practicing meditation can help you reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health and enhance self-awareness. Utilising essential oils while meditating can support and enhance the meditation experience. Different aromas work differently for everyone. Popular essential oils are lavender, ylang ylang and sage. There are also essential oil blends available if a single essential oil does suit you. They can be used in topical application, a diffuser or candle where the oil is placed in a small bowl above a candle that warms the oil then diffuses the oil’s aroma.

Sometimes our nervous system could use a little help. In times of stress our body attempts to maintain balance by producing the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol. This response helps our bodies to adapt. Prolonged stress response can result in nervous tension, unrest and fatigue. We can use a natural compound, ‘adaptogen’, to reduce our body’s symptoms of stress and nervous tension. Ashwagandha is a known ‘adaptogen’ that has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years as a rejuvenating tonic. 

Maintaining a consistent sleep routine isn’t just for children, but adults as well. A person’s sleep-wake cycle (deep sleep and REM sleep) is dictated by circadian rhythm. This is your internal biological clock that regulates various body processes over a 24-hour period. A disrupted circadian rhythm may lead to weight gain and metabolic disturbances. Sleep is an important piece of the puzzle that is your health. It is hard to prioritise your sleep, however getting enough sleep impacts a person’s mood, stress, energy levels and ability to function well during the day.