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Closed Things You Never Thought Can Relieve Stress

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queencee

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Most of us have our go-to activities and habits to cope with stress.

Whether they're healthy ones like exercise, or less-than-stellar approaches like *******, sometimes our coping habits become a bit routine and don't relax us the way they used to.

Here are a few out-of-the-ordinary ways to destress:

1. Grounding.

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Also sometimes referred to as "earthing," it simply means the act of walking barefoot on the ground, or laying on the ground. When was the last time you laid on the ground and looked up at the sky? It's sort of funny that there's even a word for this. Proponents of grounding as an actual therapy believe it affects the nervous system and release of stress hormones such as cortisol, and studies are beginningto support some of these claims. Kids know it feels great; as adults we get too busy and forget this sort of thing. Take some barefoot in the grass time or lay down and look at the clouds for five minutes -- you might feel better.

2. Getting upside down.

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You know... doing a handstand or headstand. Inverting, or using an inversion table if doing it on your own, seems too daunting. Now, this one actually has more science behind it. Inversions take some pressure off your spine, help regulate the pituitary and pineal glands and helps trigger the relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system. But besides that, it just helps quiet the mind down and give you a new perspective. When I've been at the computer too long or feel stuck, one of my favorite ways to decompress is to get a little upside down time in. And lest you think you can't enjoy this one unless you are a yogi or acrobat, you can get many of the benefits of inversion without the fancy balancing. Simply sitting with your legs up against the wall will get you many of the same restorative benefits.

3. Spending time by the water.

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Whether the ocean, a lake or a river, spending time by the water has a calming effect that's nearly unparalleled. Where the ocean is concerned, some of the appeal is the rhythmic sound of the waves. Neuroscientists believe that perhaps the calming effect is due to the sounds of nature itself, but whatever the reason, it can be profoundly soothing.

4. Talking with a friend.

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Most people don't need to be told that having a conversation with a friend will make you feel better, but more and more we tend to do this via text message or online chat. It's convenient. It helps us stay connected even when we are busy or far away from each other. But voice to voice (and even better -- face to face) conversation engages us in a way that text alone cannot. In fact, when we are face to face with each other, we have a better chance of truly giving and receiving empathy, as taking in each other's non-verbal and voice cues will engage our mirror neurons.

5. Writing it all out.

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Journalling is a habit encouraged by many types of therapists. Whether you are actively looking to sharpen your writing skills or just to record the events of the day, leaving it all on paper and being able to put it away can be a big stress relief. For venting particularly stressful or upsetting things, some people will take it a step further and rip up or burn what they've written to symbolically rid themselves of those feelings; studies have found that this act of throwing away negative thoughts can have a big impact on leaving them behind and moving forward.

6. Eating a banana.

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While they are on the sweetest end of the fruit spectrum (and avoided by many because of this) bananas can be a great mood booster. Science tells us that bananas boost our mood because they increase our serotonin, which is a major mood boost. For a great healthy alternative to dessert that can help you de-stress before bed, try this:

- 1 frozen banana (sliced)

- 1 Tablespoon of nut butter

- 1.5 cups of milk or non-dairy milk

Blend and drink!

7. Sleeping with no clothes on.

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So after you have your de-stressing, pre-bedtime banana, skip the pajamas. Not only does sleeping with no clothing just feel better, it can actually help you have higher quality sleep.When people sleep clothing free, they are less likely to get overheated, which in turn will allow for deeper sleep and greater rejuvenation of the adrenal glands. When there are factors in your bed or bedroom that interfere with deep sleep (such as extra light, irritating bedding or, yes, clothing) your body can have a hard time making sufficient melatonin to stay asleep or sleep as deeply as you need to feel restored.

Maybe someday science will explain more fully why the wind in our hair feels so amazing, or why eating a still-warm-from-the-branch ripe mango about the best thing on earth. In the meanwhile, enjoy some barefoot time in the grass and relax!

Share to us your personal ways to destress, who knows, you might help someone bust their stress too...

 

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