Since the start of the pandemic, people are more stressed than ever. There are increased risks because of the virus, and many are worried about either getting infected or losing their jobs. High-stress levels can make their situation worse because it has negative effects on your health. This can cause you to become sick even after how careful you are.
Conventional stress-relief activities may not be enough. If you need additional self-care practices, then you can try these methods to reduce tension.
Acupuncture
Although the placebo effect has no scientific basis, medical experts do not deny the importance of it. Studies found that administering placebo treatment can also have numerous health benefits and can be an effective way to relieve stress and anxiety. The person’s expectation and the way it is delivered have been shown to create positive changes to a non-patient. It is for this same reason that acupuncture can be one way to reduce stress.
Acupuncture therapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses “pressure points” to stimulate body functions. In Traditional Chinese texts, the needles inserted into your body will help bring back energy flow, resulting in numerous health benefits. In the correct placement, the needles can stimulate the release of endorphins and other hormones that help with stress.
If you are worried about the risks, you should be careful with who you get treatment from. The American Food and Drug Administration also regulates the manufacturing of acupuncture needles. These have to be sterilized before they are used, just like all other medical devices. Some would even apply some heat to the needles.
Massage
When people are stressed, our bodies release hormones that cause our muscles to tense up and sometimes spasm. You will find that your muscles feel especially stiff after being stressed out for a long time. A good massage can help alleviate this, and the sensation of relaxing muscles also reduces stress.
Studies found that periods of relaxation have psychological and physiological healing qualities. That means getting a massage is not only good for your body but your mind as well. It also helps release hormones that create positive and relaxing feelings. Even ten minutes’ worth of relaxation can have huge benefits. Massages are also known to lower heart rates.
There are actually a lot of different kinds of massages, and they all serve different purposes. Some of them work deeper into your muscles, which is best for those that have years of tight muscles. Swedish massages are the best for stress because it makes use of vibrations and kneading to release tension. Others incorporate other senses to help enhance the experience, such as aromatherapy and hot stone massages.
Music Therapy
For those without much money, music therapy is a great way to reduce stress. It is similar to meditating, but you are immersing yourself in sounds and songs that make you feel good. You can listen to them in your free time or before you sleep to relax your body. What some people do is go to YouTube and search for natural sounds that they can listen to.
According to research, music with 60 beats per second creates brainwaves similar to what we experience when we are relaxed. Calming music such as this has the ability to influence our brain function. Though certain types of music naturally make people more relaxed, it is largely up to you because you cannot force yourself to listen to music that you do not like.
Herbs
Before material objects, people use herbs to relieve stress, and they can still be applied today. They can be used in different ways. Most of them can be used as drinks, while others can calm the nerves with just their scents. It can trigger a reaction in your brain to release endorphins and other similar happy hormones. These also have positive benefits to the body depending on what they are.
The most common use of herbs is in tea. They can be added in tea bags or brewers alongside other teas. Chamomile and lavender are two examples of this. You can even add some ginger and other spices for added flavor. Another common use for them is through aromatherapy. Extract oils can be bought, and they are used as sprays for rooms to decrease stress. Ylang ylang and clary sage are two of the more popular ones.
People need to release stress from their bodies. If it means finding unorthodox methods, then so be it. As long as you are not harming your body in the process, any activity is worth exploring.
