We are all susceptible to feeling stressed out – school, work, raising families, and managing time each day can all contribute to that pulling-out-all-your-hair feeling. It is imperative to know how to reduce stress so that you can live vitally everyday. You may already have your go-to stress reliever in your back pocket, but relief can also be found in your medicine cabinet or pantry!
“Stressful emotions take hold and can negatively affect everyone differently, depending on their mindset at any given moment,” said Connie Rogers, a Certified Integrative Nutritional Holistic Health Coach and owner of BiteSizePieces.net. “If we change our reaction to stress, we can completely change our body’s chemistry, improve health in areas where we suffer congestion, and build stronger intimate relationships.”
These simple at-home spa remedies can help when you’re searching for how to destress when the going gets tough.
How to Reduce Stress with These At-Home Spa Remedies
Breathe in Lavender
Keep a small bottle of lavender essential oil handy for the days when stress feels overwhelming. Essential oils are known for their relaxation qualities as much as their beautiful scents. A few drops of lavender essential oil in a diffuser or in a bath soak can promote relaxation and help you destress. Lavender is a natural ingredient that aids in promoting a healthy response in skin and its overall antiseptic properties that fight bacteria. Think of lavender as a purifier when the body feels overwhelmed and run down due to toxins and outside triggers. Rogers suggests rubbing a little lavender essential oil on your feet to help relax before bed.
Have a Super(food) Snack
What we eat can have a direct impact on how we handle stress, and subsequently, how to reduce stress. Superfoods such as chickpeas, spinach, and kale can help encourage a relaxed mind and aid in overall stress reduction.
“Head to the grocery store for organic chickpeas and make some delicious hummus,” said Rogers. “Chickpeas contain vitamin B that helps to lower stress levels.”
Clear the pantry of addictive and processed foods, suggests Rogers, and replace them with greens. “Green is a de-stress color, and a great ‘go to color’ to de-stress the gut and brain. Kale and spinach build strength when experiencing stressful moments.”
Kale and spinach are vegetables both rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that is known for boosting mood and promoting sleep. Studies have shown that when tryptophan is consumed in appropriate amounts, it can promote relaxed feelings and happiness.
Looking for a simple way to incorporate more amino-rich greens into your diet? Get your daily dose of greens with Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens which contain Marine Collagen, organic coconut water, organic wheat grass, organic alfalfa leaf, organic spinach, organic kale, organic barley grass, Madagascar vanilla bean, hyaluronic acid, and Bacillus Coagulans. For a simple, healthy, make-ahead recipe, try our Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Bars.
Rejuvenate with a Bath
Soak away stress with a rejuvenating bath! One of the first things that comes to mind when trying to combat stress is a long, relaxing soak. Make your next bath work for you by adding uber-beneficial Epsom salts for a truly relaxing experience. Epsom salts have been shown to promote the absorption of magnesium, which promotes better sleep, aids in stress management, and can support healthy circulation.
Relax with this rejuvenating Lavender Lemon Water Bath Soak, made with Epsom salt, Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen, and lavender essential oil.