Work is driving you nuts, the bills are piling up, your garden looks like the Brazilian jungle and your youngest child just reminded you that he must build a multimedia recreation of the Battle of Culloden \u2013 by tomorrow. Feel like screaming? Breathe in, breathe out. And tame the tension by using your five senses.<\/p>\n
Touch<\/strong> See<\/strong> Hear<\/strong> Smell<\/strong> Taste<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Work is driving you nuts, the bills are piling up, your garden looks like the Brazilian jungle and your youngest child just reminded you that he must build a multimedia recreation of the Battle of Culloden \u2013 by tomorrow. Feel like screaming? Breathe in, breathe out. And tame the tension by using your five senses. […]<\/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":[108,106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mind-and-spirit-en-nl","category-mindful-living-en-nl"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n
\nLet\u2019s hug! Embracing others \u2013 whether it\u2019s your kid, your dog, your partner, or your friend \u2013 releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, and it lowers cortisol (the stress hormone).<\/p>\n
\nSurrounding 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 in your back yard and enjoy 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 \u2013 and feel those stress levels drop.<\/p>\n
\nThere\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 release tension. The next time you\u2019re feeling stressed, crank up your favourite 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
\nThe part of your brain that tackles stress is very close to the one that processes odours. 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 for their relaxing effect, but you may find that comforting scents like baked cookies or freshly cut grass have the same effect.<\/p>\n
\nWe have some good news for you! Chocolate has been shown to lower stress. Hurray, your guilty pleasure is a powerful tension tamer. Dark chocolate is the best option, and you don\u2019t need to eat the whole bar. A few small squares a day can keep the stress hormones away.<\/p>\n