on August 29, 2016
September for me has always been an exciting time. A time of new beginnings – fresh smelling books, Autumn shopping, new courses, but it is also a sad time – Summer is over, the evenings are getting shorter and the warmth and outdoors of earlier months is gone.
September is also a time of stress. Those who were on holidays come back ready to go, more meetings creep into diaries, its budget, forecasting time and pressure to meet year end targets. Not to mention the additional bills from back to school!
While anti-anxiety pills have their place and are necessary for some people, I am often saddened by those who quickly turn to pills in the face of the above. Not because I think they shouldn’t need help – we all need help at some stage, but because for mild anxiety there are so many things that can help.
It does require a little bit of effort, effort that is more than just popping a pill, but on the other hand it can avoid some of the addictive aspects of some of these pills.
So what can you do?
- Exercise will significantly help mood. I know it is more difficult in the dark evenings and that is where the extra effort comes in. Pick an exercise you like, otherwise you won’t stick to it. At the weekends you can do outdoors, but during the week consider, swimming, dancing, badminton, walking, gym work, yoga, t’ai chi, basketball – there are countless options.
- Get enough sleep. Very underrated and for some a bravado culture around how little sleep we need. For most people you need 7 to 8 hours sleep and at least one hour of this should be before midnight. Have a look at my other blog on sleep.
- Eat well. Poor nutrition and a diet high in sugar, processed foods and takeaways won’t give you the proper nutrients for brain health, sleep, immunity and even for coping with stress. Without being too technical proteins are broken down to help with neurotransmitters and hormones, all of which help the body cope with stress.
- Herbal formulations. There is a range of herbal formulations which you can take for stress. The formula needs to be designed for you and specifically around how stress shows in your body. Are you worried, anxious, depressed, not sleeping all because of stress? Answers to these and other questions will determine which formula and approach works best for you.
- Learn to relax. Difficult I know, but those most stressed need to make time for themselves – just like a battery we all need to recharge.
A naturopathic solution will work through all fo the above with you and will develop and actionplan. Contact us now E: info@freshperceptions.com.