natural remedies for stress relief
If you’ve ever been advised to reduce your stress levels, you’ll know that the thought of de-stressing can feel like another task on your list.
Yet stress relief can be simple, easeful, deeply enjoyable and wholeheartedly worth it.
Here are some natural remedies you may like to try for stress relief.
massage for relieving tension
Massage is one of the first stress-relieving activities that comes to mind, and with good reason.
Not only does a massage release tension from your muscles – it also gives you the opportunity to shift into ‘receiving’ mode. If you spend a decent chunk of your waking hours directing your energy outwards, giving, nurturing, planning and problem-solving, spending time simply receiving and experiencing can be profoundly nourishing.
You can also perform self-massage at home. The Cork Peanut Roller is designed to help release tension in your neck, shoulders, arches of your feet or anywhere you like, while the Cork Cylinder Roller is great for targeting larger areas such as your quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves.
The Clove & Mint Recovery Balm, which delivers aromatherapy benefits while you work the balm into tired muscles, is also a great addition to home massage.
aromatherapy and essential oils for stress relief
Transform your home by using aromatherapy for stress relief. Whether you’re adding essential oils to an oil burner or diffuser or applying oils to your pulse points with a roll-on, aromatherapy can be a powerful and transporting experience.
Add the Signature Blend Bubble Bath to your bath for a relaxing and restorative bathing ritual. The presence of steam can make for an especially fragrant aromatherapy journey as the essential oils of the Signature Blend are released (including rose geranium, lavender and patchouli), while magnesium and chamomile combine to improve emotional wellbeing. This natural bubble bath is enhanced with organic calendula, argan and jojoba oil for soft and supple skin.
Meanwhile, the Calm Essential Oil Blend includes stress-relieving lavender, bergamot and ylang ylang, and the Dream Essential Oil Blend contains mandarin, orange and patchouli for deep relaxation.
herbal teas for relaxation
Drinking herbal tea offers stress relief in two ways: through the effect of the herbs themselves, and through the ritual of pausing to sip tea.
Herbs that promote relaxation include chamomile, lavender, passionflower and lemon balm.
One of the great things about herbal tea is that you can drink it any time of day – first thing in the morning as a grounding ritual; in the afternoon instead of coffee; or as part of your evening wind-down routine.
mindfulness practices
‘Mindfulness’ refers to a range of different practices – including mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a style of meditation where the practitioner notices the present moment, which can be immensely helpful if you’re consistently drawn into the past or the future. It can involve focusing on your breath and noticing thoughts and physical sensations.
Outside of meditation, any activity can be infused with the spirit of mindfulness. In a world where many of us are constantly multi-tasking, bringing mindfulness to acts such as sipping tea, walking or showering can help slow your mind and release stress.
Even taking a moment to simply pause and notice what you can feel, taste, hear, smell and see around you can be a powerful daily exercise in mindfulness.
incorporating natural remedies into daily life
The way you approach stress and stress-relief will depend on your unique situation, but there are some natural remedies that might help.
simple lifestyle changes
holistic approaches to stress management
Of course, stress is greatly helped by ensuring your fundamental wellbeing needs are being met: adequate sleep; plenty of water; a nourishing diet rich in fruit and vegetables; and a balance between work, play and rest.