We live in a very stressful times. Taking charge of your stress levels means taking charge of your own health and wellness. I have been writing about different ways to combat chronic stress. Today is a quick review to tie things together.
Chronic stress leads to all types of disease. It is a killer. We know this. I will link to some Pubmed articles below. We need to identify it and find ways to rid ourselves of it.
Some important aids that I did not cover are
1. Diet: Eat a healthy diet that is right for you. Whether it is vegan, vegetarian, keto, carnivore, or any of the variations out there. Make sure you are eating REAL food. Kick the sugars. Stop eating seed oils. Leave the boxed, canned, and bottled “food” on the store shelves.
2. Sleep: You need sleep, restful sleep. Most of us today do not get enough sleep for our bodies to recuperate and regenerate. Try a calming tea blend with chamomile, lemon balm, and a hint of ginger or cinnamon after your evening meal. Practice some quiet guided meditation.
3. Water: It is the foundation of our bodies. Without water, the average person will die within days. (Medical News Today) Herb tea counts as part of your water intake. Drink up.
4. Turn off the news. One of the podcasts that I listen to regularly suggested a 30-day fast from the news propaganda. I’m going to give it a try. I invite you to join me.
I shared some links to the detrimental effects chronic stress has on our health. It is making us sick. It affects our brain chemistry which in turn signals all of our other responses. A personal inhaler is a discreet and handy way to use essential oils that calm your system and reduce anxiety.
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Geranium (Pelargonium var roseum)
Blend with some uplifting citrus to ground the mind and uplift the spirit
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis), or Lemon (Citrus limon)
A warm cup of herbal tea can be a very relaxing drink at the end of the day. Chamomile (Matriacaria chamomilla) Lemon Balm (Melissa officianalis) Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) are my go-to herbs. You can buy them loose at most local natural stores or online from a company such as Starwest Botanicals. Buy in small quantities. If you prefer to start with tea bags that is perfectly fine. Look for organic tea or labels that state no pesticides or herbicides are used.
You can also grow them quite easily in pots on a porch or balcony. Gardening has also been shown to be a relaxing activity.
In Sundown, I got more specific about the anxiety and stressful time of the afternoon that often affects people with dementia. It is the true beginning of my journey into the therapeutic properties of essential oils. I witnessed firsthand the benefits of aromatherapy. The subtle inhalation of powerful plant oils provided positive results without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical medication.
I stepped outside of the herbal and aromatherapy realm for last week’s post. Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBRS) is a strategy introduced by John Kabat-Zin. It is an easy practice to learn and can be done almost anywhere. The purpose is to bring your thoughts back to the here and now by focusing on your breathing. It calms the nervous system and helps the body return to a relaxed state. It can provide amazing results.
Combine a 15-minute practice with a calming diffuser blend and feel your body and mind relax.
Pub Med Search Results for Chronic Stress
Chronic Stress Promotes Cancer Development
Neurobiological and Systemic Effects of Chronic Stress
Chronic Stress: A Critical Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis
I won’t go on. You understand the high risk to your health that comes with stress. Take steps, even baby steps, to kick it out of your life and take back control of your health.
Scented By Nature 
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