Holiday Stress Got You Down? Try These Natural Alternatives!
Gemstone Therapy: Amethyst
Amethyst is one of the 12 stones of the Bible. It is a holy stone. In addition, if you wear it, rub it, have it near you or with you when you sleep, this stone’s properties can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Food Therapy:
High Intake Amounts of Folate, Tryptophan, Antioxidants, & Magnesium Can Reduce Stress & Anxiety
Examples are as follows:
Folate – Dark leafy greens such as spinach, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruit, beans, and avocado.
Tryptophan – Chicken, turkey, shrimp, tuna, halibut, salmon, sardines, cod, and scallops.
Antioxidants – Blueberries, dark chocolate, pecans, cranberries, and kidney beans.
Magnesium – Dark leafy greens, nuts, bananas, dark chocolate, seeds, fish, grains, avocados, yogurt, and dried fruit.
These are just a few examples to help you identify some healthy foods to help with stress and anxiety. Additionally, avoid processed foods and foods that contain high sugar.
Magnetic Therapy:
Magnets are made of rare earth elements such as iron, nickel, cobalt, boron, and neodymium. It is believed that exposure to these elements decrease pain and improve moods.
The combination of magnets with amethyst can result in maximum relief from stress and anxiety.
WARNING: If you have an implantable medical device such as a pacemaker defibrillator, insulin pump, or liver infusion pump, avoid exposure to magnets as they may affect the way your device functions. Some practitioners discourage the use of magnetic therapy by people who are pregnant or nursing.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncturists use small needles on acupuncture points in order to relieve stress and anxiety. Visit a qualified acupuncturist near you to discuss treatment options.
Exercise:
It is hard to find time to exercise during the holidays, but even a brisk 10-20 minute walk can help to produce endorphins. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercise a day. Producing endorphins will result in stress relief. Try it out!
Meditation:
Finding time to meditate can be especially difficult to commit to during the holiday season, but to just sit quietly for a few minutes each day can be a stress reliever. If you are still skeptical, ABC News anchor, Dan Harris, shares his previous skepticism and newfound beliefs regarding his experience with mindful meditation in the article, “What Meditation Did For Me – and Can For You Too.” Dan addresses a lot of reasons people have for not being able to meditate, such as not having time or not being able to “clear” the mind. Meditation is not about clearing the mind, but about focusing the mind. He further explains how practicing meditation can:
-Lower your blood pressure
-Boost your immune system
-Reduce the release of stress hormones, and
-Help with lowering anxiety, depression, ADHD, and age-related cognitive decline
Prayer:
Last but not least, do not forget about the power of prayer – especially during the hectic holiday times. We should all be grateful for what we have, so take a few minutes to thank God or whatever higher being it is you choose to praise.
* Remember this holiday season, it is not about the things we give and receive…it’s about giving with love to those we love. Give the gift of health and healing *
April Maguire
CEO & Founder
