Stress Triggers and Remedies

And some have become part of our lifestyle - heavy workloads, social pressure, maintaining a specific persona on social media…the list goes on.

Although we cannot control what life throws at us, we can take control over how we handle stressful situations. The key to managing stress is recognising and changing the behaviours that cause it. This can be challenging, however the following simple lifestyle changes may help²⁶:

• Regular exercise: Being active is a small but powerful change you can make to manage stress. Physical activity increases your body's production of feel-good endorphins.
• Eat well: Your diet can have a big impact on your mood, which in turn can impact on your stress levels. Try to make healthier food choices like eating fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds, plan ahead, make small changes and always stay hydrated.
• Time management: Running late for that important meeting or lunch with friends can really get raise your heart rate and leave you in a stressed out state. Try to organise your schedule ahead of time; maintain a calendar, plan your journeys, leave in plenty of time. And then when you arrive at your destination in complete relaxation mode, sit back and enjoy.
• Practice mindfulness: In today’s society it is easy to let the world rush by without noticing. Mindfulness means paying more attention to the present moment, and can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives, allowing us worry less about the stresses in our lives.
• Talk to someone: As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Reach out to friends and family or if you don’t feel able to talk to someone, visit your GP.
• Take a break: When you are in a highly charged or stressful situation it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Take a few minutes to yourself – go for a walk, clear your head, take some deep breaths. It is amazing what this can do to put things in perspective.
• Sleep well: As most people will know from experience, we cannot function effectively without sleep. Try to maintain a regular sleeping pattern by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, avoid stimulants, stay active and make sure to wind down at the end of the day. That can mean turning off all technology and doing something restful to relax the mind like stretching, taking a bath, or reading a book.
• Try to tackle the causes of stress in your life: Although this is certainly easier said than done, avoiding problems rather than facing them can make things worse.

When we experience stress, the body produces larger quantities of certain chemicals including cortisol, the stress hormone¹⁶. 

If you are suffering from chronic stress or feel that you cannot cope, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional. Zenflore is not a substitute for any medication prescribed for you by your doctor.