The kids can’t find their shoes and you’re late for work.
Traffic is backed up so you may miss your flight.
The house is a mess, dinner hasn’t been started, and your mother is on her way over.
Some days…chaos just seems to follow us around!
It can be hard to bring ourselves back to center when things seem out of control, resulting in undesirable choices like saying things we don’t mean, reaching for wine or cookies, or running ourselves ragged, but it’s crucial for both our mental and physical health that we do.
When things become stressful, our adrenal glands release cortisol and adrenaline. These are both hormones designed to help the body respond to stress in a healthy manner.
Adrenaline boosts our energy, increases our heart rate, and heightens our blood pressure. Cortisol works to reduce inflammation and repair damaged tissue. Both of these are essential to our fight or flight response, preparing us to deal with stress head-on or retreat.
And this is very helpful during normal times of stress!
However, we all have days when our minds and bodies won’t calm down so easily. Our adrenal glands work overtime and continue to release these stress hormones even when we are trying to relax which can result in:
– weight gain
– thinning hair
– acne
– inflammation
– sleep disturbances
– mood imbalance
and over time, can contribute to an increase in the aging process leading to dangerous issues such as heart disease, insulin resistance, and possibly even cancer.
So what do you do when you are caught in your head and can’t seem to find your way back to normal?
Dr. Graves recommends these 5 tips when needing calm immediately:
1.CBD
CBD (a cannabinoid from the hemp plant), is a non psycho-active compound that interacts with the cannabinoid system in the body to reduce tension and stimulate relaxation.
CBD can begin working within minutes and typically does not have negative side effects. Dr. Graves recommends it for anxiety, sleep, pain, and stress management support.
There are numerous ways to consume CBD such as by pill, tincture, or edible. Ensure that it is of high quality and sourced properly.
Contact our office at (303) 688-6698 or at info@coloradonaturalmed.com to purchase through our office.
2.Lavela WS 1265™ by Integrative Therapeutics.
We talk about this product a lot and for good reason – because it works!
This highly dense form of lavender oil has a calming effect that can come on within minutes. It can be taken up to 4 times daily and the only side effect we’ve witnessed is a slight taste of lavender when burping.
This product can be kept in the car, in your purse, or by your nightstand for when your mind can’t shut off and you need to calm down.
We often take it when mornings are chaotic getting ready for school and work, when we have too much going on and need to relax, and when we are having difficulty falling asleep.
3.Find Your Space.
It’s hard to think, more or less respond in a healthy manner, when your environment is chaotic.
If you find voices rising or difficult emotions building, know that it is okay to walk away and find some personal space (such as your bedroom, a bathroom, your car, a park bench, etc.) for release and clarity.
4.Breathing Techniques and/or Meditation.
It can be hard to find time to be still when things are moving at a hundred miles per hour, but it can be worth every second if you do.
Slowing our breathing and taking a moment to ground ourselves can not only bring on calm, but also better perspective.
When things are too much to handle, simply find a quiet space in which you can close your eyes and breathe.
Here is a list of 8 different breathing techniques – find which ones work for you!
5.Go For a Walk.
We’ve all been there when tensions rise and tempers flare. When things get heated or if you just can’t think straight, get outside for a walk.
Surrounding yourself in nature can calm the nervous system and walking can release endorphins to help release mental pain.
Stress is abundant in our culture and as we continue to adapt to changing environments it’s even more important we manage it appropriately.
If you’re in need of additional stress support, there is no shame.
We all need help sometimes and our office has many natural and therapeutic options to provide for those in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Larkspur, Monument, Colorado Springs, and the greater Denver metro area.
We can also support those outside of these areas virtually.
Please call us at (303) 688-6698 or click here to schedule an appointment or complimentary 15 minute phone consultation with Dr. Graves to talk further.
Find your calm now and experience the benefits of a more peaceful life!
REFERENCES:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037
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