9 simple ways to de-stress during coronavirus lockdown
STAYING stress-free during the coronavirus crisis is easier said than done, with lockdown restrictions, financial fears and health concerns at the top of the worry list.
However, there are a number of ways to reduce stress levels from your own home.
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3. Read and write more
Write, read and keep focused on anything that makes you positive.
Get some books out that you have been meaning to read for ages. Learn as much as you can – there is so much free information out there to help you study and grow through personal development.
Maybe there is a book you have wanted to write yourself? Now could be the perfect time.
4. Feel grateful
Practice gratitude. Despite this being one of the most testing times in history, many studies I have read over the years prove that giving thanks/practicing gratitude for everyday simple things we often take for granted.
This can be things such as sleeping in a warm comfy bed, plenty of hot water to make tea, books to read, the ability to be able to read, or having friends and family that love us.
Just spending a few moments each day to acknowledge these things and feeling a sense of love and gratitude for them are shown to support mental wellbeing.
5. Take a deep breath
It seems obvious that breathing is just something we do, but most of us don’t use the breath as a way of controlling our inner peace.
Before you eat a meal, focus on doing some deep belly breathing to help reduce anxiety and stress.
Try to use your inner breathing as a way of controlling the fire (anxiety and stress) just holding your tummy and breathing slowing and deeply into it throughout the day will help you to feel more peaceful and helps keep our body in a more alkaline state – which is better for your immune health.
What supplements should I take?
I am a big fan of natural supplements and using them a great deal as a way of helping me cope when navigating through very choppy periods of my life.
Be that getting out of an unhealthy relationship, healing through heartache, or just super stressful times in my career when I felt overwhelmed and unable to emotionally deal with the pressure.
Here’s my personal list of my top five natural stress busters:
1. CBD
One of the most popular stress busters right now is CBD thanks to its calming benefits and for me an absolute godsend to keep my mind and body serene when going through a wave of stress and anxiety.
I add a few drops of this to my morning matcha or coffee, and always have on hand if I am craving a sugary binge, or a glass of wine post-work to easy anxiety.
As I am 100 per cent teetotal right now, due to the fact that I want to be as mentally and physically strong as possible during this time, I have found CBD in a soft drink (cue making your own CBD infused mocktail) is going to be my evening treat in place of any alcoholic drink.
4. Flower essences
Just like many other medicinal plants on this planet, flowers are not there just to look pretty, they also have incredibly healing properties, specifically effective at supporting us through an emotional shift.
I find incredible benefits in using them in sprays (can be used directly on the skin or in a room), body creams (can be applied externally to any area of the body) and drops (in water or directly under the tongue) to help my mind and body stay more peaceful and resilient when dealing with what life throws at us.
I use calm and clear drops in my water or straight under my tongue when I feel overwhelmed. It helps you feel more grounded and calm and able to take on challenges with a more optimistic frame of mind.