Needless to say, ensuring a healthy, active lifestyle can go a long way in reducing stress. If we eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and ensure a minimum 8-hour sleep, our body will be better equipped to handle stress. Experts say you do not need to immediately go for a rigorous gym routine. Start with the basics such as walking, free hand exercises and swimming first:
Walking Start with brisk walking every morning. If you can go for a walk in the morning, make a routine for your evenings as well. Experts say that daily walking in the midst of nature is a great stress-buster. If you have a green jogger's park in your neighbourhood, you are lucky!
Yoga to reduce stress and anxiety
Yoga Says Soham Bose, a yoga expert and trainer, "Modern medical system treats the disease and not the patient. Therein lies the problem. What we need is a system that does not have any side effects, is holistic, mentally uplifting and emotionally stabilising. What can this system be? The answer is yoga."
He adds, "When we say yoga, we do not mean the headstand pose or turning the body into a pretzel or something very tiring or complicated. We suggest only a few very simple practices to remove day-to-day stress."
He recommends the following to combat stress:
Yoga nidra: People feel that they are relaxing when they sink into an easy chair with a cup of tea or coffee, a drink or a newspaper. But this, in fact, is merely sensory diversion. Twentieth century research into sleep has proven that even entering into this relaxation mode can rarely banish stress. Yoga nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. During this yoga practice, one appears to be asleep, but the mind is active at a deeper level of awareness.
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Bihar School of Yoga's Pawanmuktasana 1 series: Yoga experts say that pawanmuktasana series is one of the most important clusters of yoga practices that can have a very profound effect on the human body. Regular practice of pawanmuktasana series can bring about physical and mental relaxation, but it has to be taught by a proper trainer.
Calming breathing exercises: Consult a proper yoga trainer to learn pranayam and other breathing exercises. Diligently doing such exercises can ensure a more peaceful state of mind.
Foods that fight stress and anxiety
Foods that fight stress
Avoid junk food at all costs. Eat healthy food that includes a lot of green vegetables and lean proteins. Nutritionists and dieticians strongly recommend the following stress-busting foods:
Walnuts: These contain omega-3 fatty acids that are known for their ability to keep stress hormones in check. What's more, it can resist memory loss.
Berries: If you love strawberries, you should rejoice at this piece of good news. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C which in turn can be effective in beating stress. Add to the list, all other berries.
Eat Avocado tp reduce stress and anxiety
Avocado: Add avocados to your salad bowl because this creamy fruit can battle stress for you. Don't go overboard with avocado servings though.
Asparagus: If you love Continental dishes, make sure they contain this soothing vegetable. Apparently, it catalyses mood enhancing nutrients such as folic acid and this in turn can fight stress.
Spinach: Among the other wonders of spinach is this vegetable's power to contribute to your overall feeling of well-being. This is because it contains magnesium which controls the production of stress hormones.
Cashews: Cashews, especially, can instantly pep you up. It is a good source of zinc — around 30gms can give you 11 per cent of your recommended daily allowance. Studies have linked anxiety and depression to low levels of zinc. Since our bodies have no way of storing zinc, it's important to get some every day. Munch on a few in between meals.
