Whether you are adjusting to your new normal of being back at work, or learning to navigate and juggle additional daily responsibilities while still staying at home; not to mention all the anxiety of being out in public during this pandemic. I’m sure you can agree that stress levels in general have increased ten-fold over the past few months.
Stress can generally come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, nervous or even angry. It can be described as a feeling of emotional or physical tension and is your body’s natural reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can actually be positive as it will activate your natural response of “fight or flight” in situations (like running from danger or meeting a work deadline). However, when stress is prolonged, it can lead to many complications and ailments in the body. Here are a few simple suggestions to help cope and DE-stress, especially in all this craziness!
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Put together a feel-good playlist. Upbeat music has an instantaneous effect on mood and can make you feel optimistic and happy. Instrumental sounds like drums and flutes are especially effective at relaxing the mind. Nature sounds, like the ocean waves, raindrops or leaves rustling in the wind can also be extremely calming.
GET YOUR BODY MOVING
Lets be honest, we cant all manage daily intense workout pans or advanced yoga sessions, but 5 minutes of focused and intentional movement each day is enough to at least start to get your body moving and your blood flowing. Add some deep breathing and you’ll lessen feelings of fatigue. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale through the mouth and repeat at least 3 times. Don’t forget to stretch! There’s something about stretching the body that can make everything fall back into place again. Stretching increases blood flow and oxygen levels and has also been proven to relieve stress and anxiety.
LAVENDER
Lavender oil is almost always used to calm down lifestyle stress and anxiety. Lavender Oil not only soothes the emotions but it will protect your aura too. It makes sense then that it also gets rid of negative energy. It also has sedative properties that make it a great natural way to help someone fall asleep. Add Lavender oil to your bath or an oil burner, put a drop on your pillow before bedtime or invest in a lavender eye pillow. Scented candles are a great option too.
FILL YOUR SENSES
Have you ever smelt something delicious and just felt instantly happier? A beautiful fragrance that reminds you of your wedding day, the smell of coffee brewing on a winters day or freshly baked bread from the local bakery. Aromatherapy can offer comforting support to daily stresses. Jasmine, Neroli, Cape Chestnut are a few essential oils that instantly uplift the mood and senses, offering a daily relief to urban stresses. Aromatherapy is a well-known and ancient treatment modality to support the body during times of stress and tension.
START A RITUAL
Having a routine or body ritual in place can create a much-needed sense of structure, especially when struggling with a busy mind or anxiety. One of my favourites is the Bellabaci 3 step “Stress No More” Ritual:
STEP 1 – Exfoliate the Skin
The Bellabaci Kese is a Turkish Bath Hamam exfoliating mitt. Crafted with natural fibers made from the finest silk, bamboo and bark cellulose, The Kese will help to kiss away rough skin patches, bumps and that what is preventing your product ingredients to penetrate well.
Step in the shower, lather up and rinse off. Your skin needs a few minutes to soften. Put your hand inside the wetted Kese (used without soap). Use circular motions to ensure full coverage on your skin. Use a moderate tempo and don’t forget those rough elbows and knees.
STEP 2 – Apply Oil to the Body
Enhance your wellbeing and enjoy a positive outlook with a Bellabaci STRESS NO MORE Genie, which contains the relaxing properties of St John’s Wort, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Geranium to calm the nervous system
STEP 3 – Use the Bellabaci Cups to massage
Cupping Therapy relaxes nervous tension, calms emotional upsets and rests busy minds – symptoms experienced by stress and depression. Cupping has a direct effect on the parasympathetic nervous system and stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands. The action of the cups assists to supply a surge of blood flow and toxin removal to increase the production of serotonin, your “happy hormone”.
A daily 10 minute massage also loosens the muscle fibres that contract during stressful situations, installing a calming sensation.
You can find out more about the fantastic Bellabaci range by following this link to our shop page: https://www.spadynamics.co.za/brand/bellabaci/
These are just a few suggestions, but whatever you decide to do, remember that stress is a natural process in our bodies. As long as you acknowledge, embrace and manage your stress levels, you can avoid unnecessary tension and imbalance.
COMPETITION TIME 😊
We are giving away a Bellabaci Stress No More Kit valued at R980. The kit consists of 1 Stress No More 120 ml Genie; Body Cups (1 soft, 1 hard) and 1 Kese. Head on over to our Facebook or Instagram Social Pages to enter!
Competition Terms and Conditions:
Competition closes on 15th July 2020. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on 16th July 2020, the decision is final. The prize is not transferable for cash and cannot be returned, refunded or exchanged. Winner must reside in South Africa only. This competition is not affiliated to or endorsed by Instagram or Facebook.
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