Like a lot of people, you’ve probably been thinking about the side effects and sometimes permanent issues that can arise from the use of prescription drugs to regulate your mood. People in the know are now sharing many of their secrets and tips to maintaining a positive outlook in life, and everyone should be lucky enough to gain access to this amazing info. The remedies listed here might seem pretty mundane, but many studies have proven their efficacy time and time again. These are 3 natural remedies for mental health.
Exercise Works
Time and time again, studies done by health professionals has proven to show that exercise is an effective means of regulating mood and improving brain chemistry. This means that you can consistently depend on it for emotional relief. There are a variety of low impact exercises people can do even if they are at an advanced age. With a small amount of sustained activity, you can expect to see a noticeable change in your mood. This is because the endorphins that are released when you are active have a positive effect on your general feeling of wellbeing. It is a perfect example of the self-contained way in which humans can care for themselves.
Spending Time in Nature
Many studies have been done that have proven that proximity to nature and plant life can be very beneficial to your mood. Some scientists even believe that there could be an evolutionary reason for this such as the presence of particular bacteria. While we may not understand why in total, it is still very clear that exposure to natural surroundings fosters a deep sense of calm in people.
Stress is a major problem facing all people in today’s society. The new addition of technology that allows every moment of life to be met with some kind of interruption has further contributed to these conditions, so people are in serious need for relief, but how can a person get this relief. Studies show that having healthy hobbies can greatly reduce stress, and while some find it perfectly fine to absorb themselves in video games and other pursuits, there may be some that are looking for a more practical approach. If that’s the case, you should try exploring gardening!
Provides Exercise
Even though the act of gardening in itself isn’t and extreme sport, or jogging or running, it involves a use of coordination, and strength to produce many of its essential tasks. When gardening you have to be in the sun, using your hands and moving things from one place to another. In general, a person may even have to lift as much as 30 or 40 pounds. Even though activities don’t last for sustained periods, a human will experience a wide range of motion and activity that will easily raise their heart rate.
Stress and Anxiety
During a study, two groups were placed in a stressful situation. After the trial had ended each were placed in different environments, and the group that had been sent to perform gardening activities was tested for levels of cortisol, a primary stress hormone. The doctors saw a noticeable difference in cortisol levels in the gardening group and were able to conclude that the exposure to the gardening environment had a pleasant effect on the subjects. They now believe that activities of this type can have a massive effect on people who are stressed out.
Deep Breathing
One of the most accessible, but easily overlooked methods for self-soothing is deep breathing. The pattern of breathing that you use can have a surprisingly major impact on how your body reacts. All too often, a large number of people spend most of their time breathing far too shallow
For their body to function properly. Paying close attention to breathing habits and doing deep breathing exercises can do quite a lot for your health by helping to slow the heart rate, and bringing oxygen to the brain and other important organs. This control of your breathing not only regulates the heart rate, but also helps to calm you. Your body naturally reacts to your breathing patterns and responds to them by triggering appropriate hormones.
The Simple Breath
It’s easy to underestimate the power of simple, controlled breathing. For this first exercise, there is very little to learn, but it can be surprising to find out how little breathing you’ve actually done when you can feel how out of shape some of the muscles you need feel out of shape. To do this breathing technique, you only need to sit in an easy relaxed position and take slow deep breaths. Inhale slowly, and exhale slowly at the same slow controlled pace and repeat. This can help you to have a dramatic increase in muscles that you previously were unaware existed.
Breath Counting
This is a fascinating and deeply engaging method that comes from Zen practice. In order to get ready to perform this breathing technique, you have to sit as comfortably as you can with a straightened back, and lean your head forward just a bit. When it is done, you normally have you eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths, taking time in between each and remaining as relaxed as possible. To begin the exercise, simply inhale and exhale naturally without pushing. During your first exhale, you will count 1. Each exhale will count as 1 until you get to 5. Upon reaching 5, start over in your counting. Do this until you begin to catch yourself counting beyond 16.
The Bellows Breath
The bellows breath is a technique that was derived from yogic breathing. It is meant to help people to raise awareness and alertness. To execute this technique, you must breath in and out through your nose at very quick and even intervals. You will want to work up to 2 or 3 in and out cycles each second. You should keep it conservative at 14 – 15 seconds until you can do this for an entire minute without hyperventilating. You should only increase these session by 4 – 5 seconds each time.
What do you do for you mental health? Let me know in the comments below!
