“The main affliction of our modern civilization is that we don’t know how to handle the suffering inside of us, and we try to cover it up with all kinds of consumption.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist Monk
True that! We never stop. We numb our pain with junk food and junk entertainment. Hello, bottomless jar of peanut butter and chocolate chips! Overconsuming – always doing – doesn’t work. We inherently know this through lots of practice.
Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that suffering within us festers until we stop and cradle our “inner crying child” through mindfulness. It’s a way to bring our mind home to our body so we can stop thinking and start feeling – get out of our head and into our heart. Hello, healing 🙂
If you’re looking for some much-needed stress relief and healing, don’t miss this post! You’ll exhale knowing what to do for stress relief, my favorite stress relief medicine, and why stress relief is important to reach your health goals. So see ya sticky pounds, and hello sleeping through the night again!
WHY STRESS RELIEF IS IMPORTANT
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death and more than 75 percent of physician office visits.
Cortisol – the “stress hormone” – is produced when we perceive a threat to help us fight or flee. But if we’re feeling threatened or stressed all the time, cortisol starts misbehaving. This misbehavior can create many problems, from sticky pounds, difficulty sleeping through the night, and ultimately chronic disease and even death.
If you’re like me, maybe you’re thinking: Yikes! How can I relieve stress? What can I do for stress relief? Or what’s the best for stress relief? Unfortunately, none of us can get rid of stress. Yet, all of us can create a stress relief kit (or toolbox) filled with natural stress relief strategies for stress relief without medication.
WHAT TO DO FOR STRESS RELIEF
When I read Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, “Stopping is the best way to get healed,” it made me think about how I’ve been trained to run in life – from gym class in grade school to the MCATs for med school. Always doing something has become a habit of running into the future to attain happiness there somehow. Yet, the precious present is where joy lives.
For stress relief, we need to do less and be more present. Or, as Thich Nhat Hanh teaches – and Oprah Winfrey eloquently summarizes – we need “to be passionately present in the here and now.” But, unfortunately, most of us are imbalanced with too much work, not enough rest. Too much DO-ing, not enough BE-ing.
We need to stop to be healed. Do less. Rest more.
As my favorite Peloton instructor Robin says during a Tabata-style HIIT workout: “I don’t care what you do when you rest. Do whatever feels good to you.” However you rest, it’ll restore your energy for the next push.
I use the mantra “Breathe, Write, Pray, Play” to remind myself to relax. This best summarizes the stress relief activities I do for myself to stop and heal.
My Natural Stress-Relief Toolbox:
BREATHE: Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga
WRITE: Journaling
PRAY: Mantras & Prayer
PLAY: Anything that Brings Pure Joy
As I breathe, write, pray, and play, I mentally exhale. I get out of my head and into my heart, where Divine insight lives. For example, in a group meditation during a recent 7-Day Reset, I meditated on the words “stop running,” and peaceful tears washed over me. We must stop to be healed.
“Looking deeply, we can recognize that habit energy of running and envision what things would be like if we didn’t let it push us to run anymore.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Grab your stress relief journal and download my Vibrant Health Guide for more stress relief ideas. For stress relief with breathing, check out How to Fill Up with More Joy in Under 15 Minutes!
MY FAVORITE STRESS RELIEF MEDICINE
My favorite stress relief supplements are adaptogens – a group of plants with funny names. The word adaptogen comes from the Greek word adapto, meaning “to adjust.” So adaptogens are protective plants that help us better adapt and adjust to stress. They strengthen our bodies to reduce the physical, mental, and emotional impact of stress. Research on adaptogens continues to grow and has been subject to clinical trials that attest to their effectiveness.
Adaptogen stress relief products come in many different forms. My three favorite products blend multiple adaptogens together to reap the benefits each stress relief herb brings. Ashwagandha for relaxation, Rhodiola and Schisandra for energy, and Eleuthero for focus†. Astragalus for immune health or bacopa for memory†. That’s simplified but quickly illustrates how to tap into the power of adaptogens with blends.
My 3 Favorite Adaptogen Blends:
IONIX SUPREME
ADAPTOGEN ELIXIR
ADRESET
I add one scoop of Ionix Supreme to my morning workout drink and take another 2 oz shot if my energy slumps in the afternoon (instead of grabbing a cup of coffee!) However, some don’t appreciate the herbal taste of Ionix; that’s where the Adaptogen Elixir shines! It’s a bubbly blend of adaptogens and kombucha and tastes so refreshing. I could easily drink a 16 oz bottle of it instead of the 1.6 oz serving!
As one Mama says: “This adaptogen tea has been a game-changer! It allows me to feel calm and see the good in the day rather than feel the stress that points me to the negative!”
If you’ve taken a FREE 7-Day Reset, you know how to assess your stress and figure out how your body responds to stress. Some of us get wired and worried when we’re stressed. Others of us get mentally fatigued or tired. I’m in the latter group. Everything slooooows down when I’m stressed – like my brain and body need a nice long nap. Adreset adds two additional adaptations to help me with energy.
Stop to be healed.
#WeAreInThisTogether for #HealthyChange
Feel Better, Be Better!
P.S. Are you thinking, “this probably won’t work for me?” Chances are it will. A million happy customers globally have felt stress relief with adaptogens for almost two decades. If you’re not 100% satisfied for any reason, there’s a 30-day hassle-free return policy for your convenience. Honestly, you have nothing to lose but some much-needed stress! Try 30-Days of Stress Relief with Adaptogens!
†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author: Dr. Sue
Sue McCreadie, MD (aka Dr. Sue), is a Pediatric Physician and Breakthrough Coach for Midlife Mamas. For over two decades, she’s helped thousands achieve vibrant health as a wellness expert. Bringing three daughters into this world, she lost four along the way, and crossed the pregnancy finish line a digestive–hormonal–emotional mess. But, over the following decade, she found a deeper meaning for miscarriages, reclaimed vibrant health, and grew emotional resiliency. Dr. Sue is obsessed with living her soulFULL purpose and helping other growth-minded Mamas do the same. She believes we are in this together to rise up, realize our dreams, and feel fulfilled in every facet of our lives.