Let’s face it: all of us feel stressed out at some point or another. So, this Stress Awareness Month, Cannaray experts recommend natural hacks to help you de-stress. According to the Mental Health Foundation’s report, 1 in 14 UK adults feel stress every single day and 74% of people have felt so stressed that they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.
More people than ever of heading to TikTok to help find quick and easy hacks to help reduce their everyday stress. Videos with the hashtag #stresshacks have over 1.3 million views and #stresshack has over 6 million views. Effective stress management helps to break the hold stress has on life and leads to a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Unmanaged chronic stress can lead to anxiety which knocks confidence. While the abundance of information around stress can be overwhelming, Cannaray wellness expert, Zara Kenyon has narrowed down the top hacks to help you de-stress and why they work.
Top hacks to help you de-stress
- Gargling water. Loud gargling with water or loud singing activates our vocal cords which in turn stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is part of our parasympathetic nervous system, when it gets stimulated it increases what is known as vagal tone; slowing our heart rate and our breathing and calming our nervous system down.
- Physiological sigh. This breathing pattern consists of two inhales followed by an extended exhale. Sighing this way pops open any alveoli in the lungs that have collapsed during the day, offloading carbon dioxide and calming your body and mind.
- Cold shower. Exposing yourself to the cold may not sound relaxing, but as well as triggering our relaxation response, it’s thought to reduce inflammation in the body. Try putting your face in some cold water or, if you’re feeling brave, having a cold shower. You might want to start with short exposures and build-up.
- Never compromise on sleep. Stress is one of the biggest factors in sleepless nights. Not only do those worried thoughts stop you from switching off, but they also cause your body to release chemicals that lead to muscle tension and increase your heart rate. We’re not about to tell you to ‘just stop stressing’, because it’s never as easy as that, but if there are ways you can fit in a wind-down session before bed, you may notice you feel more restful at night.
- Movement is medicine. If you can, make exercise part of your day. A walk, a jog, a gym class or a yoga session will refocus your mind and trigger the release of happy hormones.
- Support with supplements. Stress is one of the main triggers of fatigue. So if you’re feeling exhausted, find support with the Bright Days CBD Capsules. They contain a powerful blend of vitamin C and Zinc to reduce fatigue and support normal cognitive and psychological function.
- Make yourself laugh. The ultimate antidote to stress is laughter. As well as stimulating the vagus nerve, laughter can help lower blood pressure and improve mood. When stress starts creeping in, turn to memory or video that always manages to lift your mood.
- Maintain boundaries. Where possible, say ‘no’ to what’s stressing you out. Asserting yourself and not giving in to guilt is a great way of protecting your time – and lightening the mental load.
Dr Balu, consultant psychiatrist at Cannaray said: “Anyone living with high levels of stress is putting their entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on emotional balance and physical health. Stress can narrow one’s ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.
“Stress can give rise to a sense of being overwhelmed with minor tasks and never feeling accomplished leading to unsatisfied tiresome existence. Effective stress management helps to break the hold stress has on life and leads to a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Unmanaged chronic stress can lead to anxiety which knocks confidence.”
“Studies have shown that CBD reduces the behavioural symptoms of anxiety and physiological symptoms such as increased heart rate. Some people have reported lowering of anxiety levels resulting in better control over emotions and feeling more relaxed while taking CBD.
“It is important to recognise the triggers for stress and build resilience to manage life in a better way to avoid the adverse effects of stress and anxiety. CBD, as a natural product, can help with anxiety reduction and could be an essential tool in stress management.”
