How to Conveniently Deal with Stress: 20 Tips to Help You Feel Relaxed

Holistic Practitioner Spotlight with Dr. Andrea Brockman

We are speaking with Dr. Andrea Brockman, BSN, DDS, CEO of Lifetime Horizons, LLC and Blogger for ExploreHolistic.com™

Tell Us How You Deal With Stress to Better Function Physically and Emotionally

Life under normal circumstances can be stressful, but now, it seems like living in a stressful time is the new normal – and it is uncomfortable and unhealthy. Normally, being an industrious person, I find that too much stress is not constructive to wellbeing and productivity.

When I feel stressed, it is hard for me to focus. My mind races or wanders. During the day I get easily distracted and at night my sleep is restless. This can make me tired during the day and less productive. My creativity is stunted, and I lack inspiration needed for my work. I snack way more than when I am not stressed, and I worry about things that have not yet happened. Chronic stress may need the help of professionals, but we should be aware of the small things that do add up.

I Have Several Tools that Effectively Deal with Stress and Help Me Get Out of My Head

1. I take a walk. When I pay attention to surroundings, I get back into present time. Don’t laugh, but actually hugging a tree helps to infuse me with energy and a more positive outlook.
2. I take a few deep breaths. This is an incredibly quick and effective way to deal with stress. Paying attention to my breath and taking in more oxygen settles me to be able to come back and concentrate rationally on the tasks at hand.
3. I practice Yoga. Previous to the pandemic, I went to Yoga classes 3-5 times a week. I am now doing my own Yoga practice which has so much benefit for balancing the mind and body.
4. I meditate. I have found that as little as five minutes can take the angst out of how I feel. Paying attention to breath helps to clear the mind and relax the body.
5. I exercise. Rebounders, equipment, weights, and repetitions all help to build cardio and strength as the focus diverts from negative thinking.
6. I take a hot bath. A shower just does not have the same effect as soaking in a tub. Before I retire for the night, a bath helps with a better night’s sleep.
7. I stay away from sugar. Too much energy adds to anxiety and then a crash and more craving for sugar. Nuts, especially macadamia, help satisfy that sweet tooth.
8. I keep hydrated. It is always a surprise the anxious feeling that creeps up when I have not been drinking enough water. I just keep a bottle filled on my desk and sip all day. A cup of chamomile tea can be soothing.
9. I turn off the news. Taking a break does wonders to lessen the fear.
10. I look at the flame of a candle. The flickering light is hypnotic. Light candles for your dinner table.
11. I listen to music I love. I never cease to be in a better frame of mind than when my favorite tunes are playing. If you are a musician or singer, then play your instrument. Music will soothe.
12. I stay away from energy-draining people. It is a super negative trigger.
13. I watch funny movies or programs. Laughter is the best medicine.
14. I use essential oils, like lavender, to relax. I put a few drops on my pillow at bedtime or other calming essential oils in a diffuser for the whole room during the day. Flower remedies also have an amazing calming impact.
15. I put a few salt lamps in the room I work in. The glow and the ions help restore a good feeling.
16. I work on a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Searching for pieces is downright meditative. Crossword puzzles or Sudoku have the same result.
17. I create good energy flow in all my rooms. It is so worth learning about Feng Shui and the great effects it has on your wellbeing.
18. I call someone I care for. These are times when I feel isolated, a phone call or a Zoom meeting can do wonders to lift my mood.
19. I play a board game. It is fun, can be challenging, exercises brain cells, and most of the time alters my emotional state of mind.
20. I Journal

Journaling, the Most Effective Tool for Stress Management

Think about the things that cause you to feel anxiety. It does not matter if it concerns health, finances, relationships, politics, or your job. There is usually a decision that needs to be made, a problem that needs to be solved and at the root, there is a lack of perspective and clarity.

I have found that journaling helps get rid of the mental clutter, something that I have trouble with when I meditate. Getting my thoughts on paper about the things that are on my mind purges my confusion. Clarity then makes room for inspiration and for problem solving. In our daily writing, we can express our gratitude, reduce our stress and anxiety without talk therapy, and improve our wellbeing.

Everyone Has an Area of Creativity, But It May Not Be Obvious

We can be so mired in everyday tasks that we forget that we have talents, that when expressed, can make our world a better place. Journaling can take ideas and turn them into reality. We can work out goals and strategies. We have a way to figure out what sparks our creativity.

When Journaling Consistently Results in Such A Positive Outcome, It is Worth Becoming A Daily Habit

The quiet of the early morning is the most peaceful time of day. I wake up an hour earlier than I need to for work. The salt lamps’ orange glow ease into the daybreak. During that transition time is when I write.

I talk to myself and answer myself. I write wherever my mind takes me. Sometimes it just randomly flows and other times I choose a topic like what can I be enthusiastic about or what am I grateful for. When I address a problem, I write all the scenarios for possible solutions and the possible consequences. It is enlightening and it always makes me feel better.

Give yourself three weeks of this daily routine to become habitual and journaling will become your favorite stress reliever too. In the meantime, try adding at least one of the 20 tips into your life to deal with stress and enjoy learning how to be more at ease.

Why and When Did You Choose the Holistic, Integrative, or Natural Health Path?

Working as an Intensive Care Nurse, I experienced life and death situations and diseases where the drugs had detrimental side effects. I started to believe that less is more. When I practiced dentistry, I treated the dental needs of medically compromised patients and came to realize that oral health had great impact on overall health. Unfortunately this was not in medical training. My own health experiences of being exposed to toxic mercury from drilling out mercury-containing dental amalgams was another deficiency in the medical health field which led me in the direction of exploring alternatives.

What Lessons Have Your Work and Professional Experiences Taught You and What Has Been the Affect on Your Lifestyle?

I learned early in my career the benefits of good nutrition, hydration, the microbiome and good gut health, safe detoxification, the body-mind connection and the environmental influences on overall health and wellbeing. It’s been my mission to shed light on alternative health choices and the value they have for a healthier life and planet.

Biography

Read about her holistic journey in “About Dr. Andrea”.

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