We are all aware that caffeine and alcohol increase our stress levels. However, only a few of us know that there are also certain food types offering excellent stress relieving effects. Below, we have discussed about 3 such food types. Almonds: Munching 1/3 cup shelled almonds is known to offer excellent stress relieving effects by reducing the levels of stress hormones. Almond is rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc, vitamin B2 and vitamin E. Being and antioxidant vitamin E fights with and destroys the free radicals responsible for causing stress. This vitamin is also beneficial in preventing heart disease.  Each serving of almonds offer only 306 calories; the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat content of this food type is quite high and has low levels of saturated fats.  [...] 

Below, we have discussed about some tools that helps in measuring our psychological stress levels: Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory-2 or MMPI-2: This testing procedure is widely used for identifying the unhealthy traits present in an individual that might be pathological in nature. The test includes various items, one of the most common among them is: ‘anxiety’. Some of the other items of MMPI-2 are: ‘depression’, ‘social avoidance’, ‘psychasthenia’ and ‘hypochondriasis’. This test is particularly helpful in determining the areas associated with increased anxiety levels in a person. Perceived Stress Scale or PSS: This stress assessing tool is meant for measuring the extent of an individual’s ability of coping stress. The scale comes with ten items; these items  [...] 

Stress is a common distressing factor of contemporary world. Majority of us suffer from stress at some point of time. The main factor behind this increased stress is busy lives. Balancing family, work and other important aspects of our lives often makes us victims of severe stress. We also hardly get any time to go for stress relieving massages. In such situations taking a stress relieving bath tea while soaking yourself in a warm bathtub may work wonders for you. This article will inform you about the procedure of making stress relieving bath tea. The ingredients you will require to prepare the tea include: 1.5 cups of sea salt, 2 cups of Epsom salt, 1 cup each of fresh chamomile and lavender, 4 tablespoon dried leaves of lemon balm, 10 drops of chamomile oil, 20 drops of lavender oil, string,  [...] 

Stress can result in several health problems, which also includes weight gain due to fluid retention. Incorporating certain lifestyle changes can help us in shedding off this water weight. However, as the fluid retention is triggered by stress, it is also important to control the stress levels for preventing further fluid retention. One of the worst effects of stress is poor eating habit; stress makes us eat higher amounts of comfort foods, which are filled with fats and sodium. This improper eating habit leads to weight gain and also forces our body to store more and more fluids. Below, we have provided some guidelines for controlling weight gain from stress: Intake of diuretics or water pills helps in shedding the water weight fast. A person having prescribed dosages of diuretics will be  [...] 

Stress might not act as a direct trigger of stomach disorders; however, can aggravate them significantly. Stress results in persistent feeling of worry and muscle tension, which in turn can result in aches all through our body. Too much anger, tension, anxiety and feeling of negativity is also known to cause stomach problems like acid formation in the stomach. Acid production in our stomach might increase due to stress, which often takes the shape of chronic acid reflux or heartburn. Heartburn occurs due to the stomach acids that rise up and reach the esophagus. The condition is marked by burning sensations in the throat and chest. Individuals experiencing frequent episodes of heartburn develop a condition called GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease. To recover from this condition one needs  [...] 

There would be hardly any person who has not experienced stress at the workplace in his lifetime. Here we have presented some tips that will help people in managing stress. Adjust the workload: Workload is probably the chief stressor at work. Whenever you are facing troubles in managing workload or feeling that you are underutilized by the employer, discuss the issue with your supervisor. You can request to extend the deadline if you are bogged down by work pressure and if you feel that the management is not giving your enough responsibilities, ask for more work from the supervisor. Extending the deadline will rid you from the stress caused by the worry of being late. Prioritize your works: Often we need to complete several works within a single day. To make sure that we don’t get stressed  [...] 

Through hypnotherapy, the practitioner (hypnotherapist) assists individuals to attain relaxation through trance. When in trance, an individual becomes extremely attentive and focused; during this phase of consciousness a person will take in every suggestion offered by the therapist. When hypnotherapy is conducted for alleviating stress levels of an individual, the hypnotherapist’s primary job is helping the patient to understand the factors responsible for increasing his or her stress levels. The therapist will also help the patient to know the beneficial and harmful effects of stress. Successful sessions of hypnotherapy will offer the patient clear and realistic idea about what stress can do to him or her; the person will also know how to avoid overreacting to situations that are not likely  [...] 

Monday of a week is a blur, a mind- swirling one. By Tuesday, there is experienced a hike and spike in the levels of stress; while Wednesday brings the need of a Herculean effort to leave home and walk up to work. A packed schedule like this leaves no room for breathing. The answer is nowhere but in the practice of a slow and restorative set of yoga poses. No need to frown at the name of yoga, because this one is not going to cost you hours. You need just 5 – 10 minutes per day to perform this yoga. This is the stress- relieving yoga. This is when you will stay in one pose without putting any exertions on the efforts of the muscles. This is when the ligaments and fascia, and the connective tissues of the body will seek a singular chance of stretching. Giving a taste of stretch to the  [...] 

There are umpteen stress relief tips. Stress can function as an energizer or motivator. Excessive amounts of stress can cause social and medical turmoil. The body’s response to stress is physical. Stress activates the ‘fight or flight’ response in the body. Stress causes release of adrenaline, which is a stress hormone. This causes increase in heart rate, rapid breathing and increase in blood pressure. Stress relief tips are essential in the effective management of stress. Mentioned below are some of the stress relief tips: Deep breathing: This is one of the most popular and effective stress relief tips. Perform deep inhalations through the nose. Allow the air to reach the lungs. Individuals should hold their breath until they reach a count of six. The exhalation should be slow. Perform  [...] 

Life is filled with deadlines, demands, hassles, and frustrations. For many individuals, stress has become so common, that it is often looked upon as a way of life. Complete elimination of stress is not desirable. When present in small amounts, stress helps individuals perform tasks under pressure. It can motivate you to perform at your best. The mind and body will ultimately pay the price if repeatedly exposed to stress. Individuals should not feel completely overwhelmed. When such situations occur, individuals should try to balance their nervous system. In order to protect yourself from stress, it is important to learn stress’s signs and symptoms. This can prevent its harmful effects. Stress is a physical response that is normal. It is a response to events that threaten or upset the natural  [...]