{"id":12652,"date":"2014-07-01T10:33:11","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T15:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mindful.sodexo.com\/less-stress-the-natural-way"},"modified":"2018-08-30T09:30:48","modified_gmt":"2018-08-30T09:30:48","slug":"less-stress-the-natural-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindful.sodexo.com\/au\/less-stress-the-natural-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Less Stress\u2014The Natural Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

Work is driving you nuts, the bills are piling up, the grass is gnarly enough to swallow your dog, and your youngest child just reminded you that he must build a multimedia recreation of the Battle of Trenton\u2014by tomorrow. Of course, you\u2019re stressed. But you can tame all that tension using your five senses. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/address>\n

Touch <\/b><\/p>\n

Hug it out! Embracing others\u2014whether it\u2019s your kid, your dog, your partner, or your friend\u2014releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, and it lowers cortisol (the hormone that surges when we\u2019re under pressure). <\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/address>\n

See <\/b><\/p>\n

Surrounding yourself with nature and green spaces has been shown to help lower stress hormones. Find 20 minutes to sit in the sun, take a walk in the park, or relax on the porch and soak up your natural surroundings. That\u2019s all you need to reap the benefits. And while you\u2019re out there, focus on your breathing and the beauty around you\u2014and feel those stress levels drop.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/address>\n

Hear <\/b><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason yoga studios and spas play music: It\u2019s relaxing. But slow or soothing varieties of music aren\u2019t the only kinds that can help you unwind. The next time you\u2019re feeling tense, crank up your favorite tunes. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s Pharrell\u2019s \u201cHappy,\u201d a Michael Jackson classic, or an old-school rock jam: Music absorbs our attention, allowing our minds to wander away from stress and giving our bodies a chance to relax.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/address>\n

Smell<\/b><\/p>\n

The part of your brain that tackles stress is very close to the one that processes odors. So if you take a whiff of a scent you enjoy, it\u2019s likely to lower your heart rate and help you calm down. Citrus, peppermint, lavender, and cinnamon are known soothers, but you may find that comforting scents like baked cookies or freshly cut grass have the same effect.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/address>\n

Taste<\/b><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s some really good news: Chocolate has been shown to lower stress. That\u2019s right, your favorite indulgence is actually a powerful tension tamer. Dark chocolate is your best option, and you don\u2019t need to eat a lot to gain the benefits. A few small squares a day can keep the stress hormones away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Work is driving you nuts, the bills are piling up, the grass is gnarly enough to swallow your dog, and your youngest child just reminded you that he must build a multimedia recreation of the Battle of Trenton\u2014by tomorrow. Of course, you\u2019re stressed. But you can tame all that tension using your five senses. Here\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[169,166],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mind-and-spirit-au","category-mindful-living-au"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nLess Stress\u2014The Natural Way - Mindful by Sodexo - Australia<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Of course, you\u2019re stressed. 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