Though this post is about stress, this is really a series on building immunity. If you missed the one where I talked about how stress and immunity are related, go read that first.
So what are some ways you can decrease stress?
- practice yoga
- practice deep breathing
- listen to music that relaxes you (You’ll know it’s relaxing because the music will make you want to sit and breathe; your heart rate will slow down, and you’ll feel like someone just gave you fresh air. Stay away from stimulating music when you need to relax.)
- practice meditation
- learn to be the observer, rather than the player in the situations you’re in (This will keep you from always responding and becoming whatever feeling is triggered in you – feelings don’t have to be your master!)
- go for a walk at a casual pace
- garden
- forage and wildcraft
- lay in the sun
- go fishing or sit by a stream and listen to the water
- spend time in the forest
- laugh and smile often
- limit news consumption to one time a day, preferably later in the morning after you’ve meditated and relaxed (NOT before bed)
- choose to limit social media; post positive things or nothing at all
Herbs that can help
- chamomile: chamomile wine, rose-hip chamomile ice pops
- catnip
- motherwort for stress that causes heart palpitations or rapid heart rate
- passionflower
- milky oat seed tincture – this is great for prolonged use to nourish and balance the nervous system
