Danielle Adams is a freelance writer who works with Bullfrog Spas. When she’s not writing, Danielle enjoys practicing yoga, meditation for stress relief, and learning more about hydrotherapy. Feel free to Submit a Guest Post in the “Contact Us” tab if you are wanting to write a preview or recap your running experiences as well! The views in this post do not necessarily reflect Run Oregon.
We’ve all experienced stress, in one way or another. Short term, stress can benefit the body and mind; helping to get the brain more oxygen, increasing your heart and breathing rates, and providing you with an edge to problem solving. However, too much stress can have a reverse effect and lead to more serious health problems.
The question is, how do you manage stress? Here are 3 strategies to check out:
Hydrotherapy
Since the days of ancient times, the practice of hydrotherapy has been used to not only help people find relaxation, but is an effective treatment for several diseases and ailments. For many suffering from arthritis, joint or muscle pain, and other aches and pains, hydrotherapy is an excellent all-natural pain relief treatment.
Hydrotherapy, as an emotional treatment, can relieve stress, anxiety, and help with insomnia. In addition, include some essential oils (aromatherapy) into the warm water to stimulate brain function. For stress and anxiety, lavender, orange, lemon, and sandalwood are a few excellent oils to try.
With modern advancements, you no longer have to go to communal baths or treatment centers to enjoyed the health benefits associated with hydrotherapy. Hot tubs and spas provide customized and targeted hydro massage to fit your needs and make the most of your therapeutic experience.
Meditation
People have used meditation for thousands of years, evolving from a more spiritual practice to a way to help relieve stress. Meditation is the practice of quieting the mind and reconnecting, which benefits your emotional, mental, and physical health.
If sitting in a room, alone, focusing on your breath doesn’t appeal to you, there are other meditation practices that might speak to you more. A few to consider:
Guided meditation. Guided meditation incorporates visualization to help you mentally focus on images of places or situations that bring you peace and help you relax. Through this meditation, you use all your senses to help make the experience more real and pull you in more. If you are interested in trying this practice, find a teacher in your area to lead you through the meditation.
Yoga.Through a series of postures and breathing exercises, you will learn to focus less on the stressful situation and more on the moment instead. By being more intune with your body and calming your mind, you will be more likely to find the solutions to your problems and release the tension. You can also practice hot tub yoga and water aerobics, which is another form of hydrotherapy.
Mantra meditation. This is another excellent meditation to help you release stress. Choose a word or short phrase to repeat when you are dealing with a stressful moment. If you can’t think of one, feel free to use mine: wooza (woo-za).
Reconnect
Life is chaotic. When you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, take a moment to re-evaluate your social connections. Your relationships–those close friendships–are vital to help relieve stress. Not only do friendships provide support and help your through the up and down of life, but can give you a new outlook on life.
If you haven’t connected with anyone in your social network (not talking digital here) call up a friend and schedule a coffee or lunch date or volunteer at a local charitable group or cause that speaks to your heart.
Stress is a part of life and it is important to know yourself, your triggers, and what you need to do to help you take care of yourself. Whether you find stress relief from hydrotherapy, meditation, reconnecting with others, or from something else, the key is to find ways to manage stress and live your best life.
About the Author: Danielle Adams is a freelance writer who works with Bullfrog Spas. When she’s not writing, Danielle enjoys practicing yoga, meditation for stress relief, and learning more about hydrotherapy.
