According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, a whopping seven out of ten adults say they experience stress or anxiety daily. Technology has made us more available than ever and according to one survey, 81% of Americans check their work email long after working hours. For many people, downtime has become a thing of the past and when you add everyday stressors like money, relationships and the maintenance of modern life, it’s no surprise that millennial stress levels are on the rise. 

April is stress awareness month and given the health problems associated with chronic stress like obesity, depression and even asthma and heart disease, we think it’s more important than ever to find ways to unplug, relax and de-stress in the modern world. We’ve put together a list of 10 natural ways to reduce stress including Parker Naturals I Am Calm, a powerful magnesium supplement to support feelings of calm serenity every day. 

1 - Sleep

Stress can cause a lack of sleep and a lack of sleep can make dealing with the everyday causes of stress more difficult, often resulting in a vicious cycle of late nights, early mornings and stressful work days. There are lots of things you can do to make a good night’s sleep a habit instead of a luxury. 

Go to bed at the same time every night whether you’re tired or not, be sure to use a regular alarm clock instead of your smartphone and make your bedroom a technology-free zone. Do your TV watching in another room and aim for a solid 8 hours of sleep per night. 

2 - Meditate

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, mindful meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety and depression. Luckily there are thousands of guided meditations online that are directed towards both veteran meditators and total beginners so it’s never been easier to create a practice, regardless of your experience level. 

Find the video or app that’s right for you and be sure to create a quiet space where you’ll be free from distractions. You don’t have to meditate like a guru to experience meditation benefits either! According to a team of Harvard researchers, just 10-15 minutes a day can have a powerful impact on your stress levels and overall health. 

3 - Magnesium Supplement

Magnesium plays a vital role in stress management and recovery within the brain and can be found in foods like almonds, pumpkin seeds, black beans and dark chocolate. However, bacteria in the soil allows these plants to absorb magnesium as they grow so everything from food processing to pesticides and fertilizers can decrease the magnesium available in our diets. 

Studies show that magnesium supplements may help to manage stress and anxiety and also combat depression by boosting the supply of magnesium in the body. A great way to be sure that you are getting enough of this important mineral is with a supplement like Parker Naturals I Am Calm. Simply add a spoonful of this highly absorbable, water-soluble magnesium to a glass of water each day to support your body and calm your mind. 

4 - Spend Time In Nature

A great way to cope with stress is to spend more time in nature. Studies show that time in the forest can lower levels of the cortisol hormone which is associated with stress and researchers also found that the heart rates of subjects in the forest were lower than those in the city.

Even if you don’t have time to head for the hills on vacation, a simple daily walk in the park can make a big difference to your overall state of mind. 

5 - Make an Animal Friend!

Many studies show that pets can be powerful four-legged stress relievers. Time spent with a pet may lower blood pressure and cortisol and it also could elevate the levels of oxytocin in the body which is associated with happiness and relaxation. You don’t have to rush out and adopt a dog to feel the benefits associated with pet ownership either, many people experienced an increased output of endorphins and dopamines after only five minutes in the company of an animal. So, offer to walk a friends dog or stop into the local pet store to see who’s hanging around and make a new four-legged stress-busting buddy. 

6 - Exercise

Studies show that regular aerobic exercise can help to reduce tension, elevate and stabilize mood and improve sleep. The good news is that you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from this feel-good rush of endorphins to the brain. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can help to reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem. 

In order to fully benefit from exercise and its stress-reducing potential, repetition and regularity are more important than intensity. Be sure to find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it’s jogging, yoga, or simply a daily walk around the neighborhood and make time for it each day to help support your body and mind and combat stress and anxiety. 

If your schedule has you feeling tensed up and stressed out, remember these six natural ways to reduce stress and feel more relaxed, including Parker Naturals I Am Calm. Just a spoonful of this delicious raspberry lemon flavored powder in a glass of water each day can help support your body and mind and get you back on the road to stress relief.

Parker Naturals

Parker Naturals strives to take every step necessary to keep our customers smiling and helping them achieve vibrant health! This includes, but is not limited to, starting right by providing you with nothing but pure ingredients that are free of harmful contaminants.

Our premium supplements contain absolutely zero fillers, binders, or additives and are proudly developed and manufactured in the U.S.A. in world-class FDA-approved facilities. Our customers’ health and safety are our top priority. Quality is more than a word. It’s something we prove to you every day!

 References:

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/state-nation.pdf

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/11/why-other-countries-are-s_n_5127495.html

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/you-can-practice-mindfulness-in-as-little-as-15-minutes-a-day

https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/pets-happiness1.htm

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201801/magnesium-depression

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st