The stresses involved in daily life can bring anxiety and often force us to live in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Juggling the responsibilities of home, family, work and friends can be challenging, and knowing how to naturally calm yourself and find inner peace is necessary to functioning and maintaining a healthy life.
Massage
Massage therapy involves a trained professional physically manipulating your body to help bring calm into your life and treat stress, as well as a number of other physical conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, therapeutic massage can help deal with conditions such as anxiety and depression, and promotes a general sense of well-being.
There are many different types of massage therapy, each designed to have a different effect on your body. For example, lymphatic massage works to promote healthy lymph flow. Reflexology focuses on specific areas on the hands and feet which are believed to produce results in other areas of the body. Aromatherapy massage involves massaging essential oils into the skin, which may bring additional relaxation.
Deep Breathing
Deep breathing helps your body relax and, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, allows your body to synchronize with itself. Deep breathing promotes a positive feeling, and can be used to help calm yourself throughout the day or before falling asleep. Assume a comfortable position lying down or sitting in a chair, and consciously relax your body. Inhale through your nose, trying to fill your chest with air from the bottom up. Inhale slowly over eight to 10 seconds. Once your lungs are fully expanded, hold this air for a few seconds, then relax and exhale. If you become dizzy as you repeat this exercise, decrease the amount of time you inhale and hold your breath.
Acupuncture
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that acupuncture can help calm you down and deal with the anxiety in your life. Acupuncture therapy for stress focuses on treating imbalances in qi, or energy, flowing through the body. Acupuncture should be performed by a trained professional, and the therapy often includes other methods of treatment such as lifestyle adjustments, herbal remedies and other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to help bring calm into your life.
Herbs
Herbs can be used to promote a calm feeling, and can be used in aromatherapy, or in tea, capsule, oil or tincture forms. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that lavender is commonly used to help resolve conditions such as depression, anxiety and restlessness. The essential oil of lavender is most commonly used, however lavender is also available in teas or extracts. A study funded by NCCAM showed that chamomile can have a significant effect on anxiety and can have a substantial calming effect. Chamomile may be found in capsule form. Kava is an herb that has been commonly used for sleep disorders and to treat anxiety, however the Food and Drug Administration warns against its use because of the potential for liver damage. Other herbs available in teas, capsules and extracts that claim calming properties include valerian and St. John's wort. Studies on these herbs are currently supported by NCCAM to help determine their effectiveness.
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