Does the mere thought of stress leave you feeling anxious, distracted, or unable to focus? Stress is something most of us have experienced at one point or another, either chronically or perhaps due to an event or experience. As we move through the world, learning how to navigate and manage distress and stressors can be a vital piece of our overall health journey.
Before we can approach the concept of coping with this common elephant in the room, it’s helpful to understand what exactly it is and what it does to the body and mind. Stress can be defined as a body’s reaction to a physical, emotional, or intellectual challenge or stressor. It puts our body and mind in increased alertness or fight or flight mode. Our responses can help us navigate a situation safely, or when ongoing, produce potentially harmful effects on the body and mind.
By applying a few basic principles in our day to day, we can help support our bodies and mind to handle whatever may come our way.
Spend Time in Nature
Dedicating as little as 120 minutes per day may enhance immune function and lower blood pressure and stress hormones while elevating mood and self-confidence.
“Forest Bathing” (Shinrin-yoku) has been studied extensively in Japan and the results are quite extraordinary! Walking in a forest -or wooded area- is thought to activate our immune system while decreasing fatigue and depression.
Breathwork
As children, we are often told to “just breathe” or “take a breath” when distress settles in. The practice of focusing on our breath and exhaling from our diaphragm can support us at any age. Studies have shown that diaphragmic breath can have profound effects on reducing our fight or flight response and reducing stress levels in adults, as well as children.
Participating in relaxation activities such as mindfulness, tai chi, or yoga incorporate breathwork and may help to reduce stress as well.
Prioritize Rest and Quality of Sleep
Routine can be one of our greatest tools against stress, and prioritizing sleep is a great way to find your ideal daily rhythm. By finding, and sticking to, a sleep-wake schedule we allow our bodies to manage cortisol production which in turn promotes a better night’s rest. Aim for 7 or more hours of rest to feel your best!
Adding a magnesium supplement into your evening flow can support relaxation and quality of sleep, in addition to helping with regularity and healthy elimination.
Introducing Adaptogens such as Ashwagandha or Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to chemical, biological, physical, and psychological stressors.
Found in our Daily Shake and Cleanse Shakes on both Clean 7 and Clean 21,, Ashwagandha is a popular adaptogen, having been used for thousands of years as it was thought to improve longevity and energy. It is now a common supplement with a wide array of uses surrounding stress. Certain adaptogens, including Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Tulsi or Holy Basil, among others, support the health of the adrenal system in addition to helping boost our immune system.
These adaptogens are included in our 7-day and 21-day detox programs, which is part of the reason past cleansers report increased energy, improved mood, and mental focus as a result of completing the cleanses. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before supplementing with new herbs including adaptogens.
Don’t wait for stress to become unmanageable before implementing stress reduction techniques into your daily routine. Chronic stress can lead to serious health conditions, so start working on the prevention and management of stressors today for a happier and healthier tomorrow.
Written by Katherine Feldhouse, Wellness Coach at Clean
Book a FREE health coaching session with Katherine or another one of our Wellness Coaches to support you on stress management or questions about adaptogens.
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 525.5 525.5"><path d="M381.3 247.3c.3-1.2 1.2-3.4 3.4-4.2l2.5-.9c.5-.2.8-.5.9-1l3.8-16.2c.1-.4 0-.8-.2-1.1-.2-.3-.6-.5-1-.6-61.1-8.3-93.8-.3-113.3 4.6-6.4 1.6-11.1 2.7-14.6 2.7s-8.2-1.1-14.6-2.7c-19.5-4.8-52.2-12.9-113.3-4.6-.4.1-.8.3-1 .6-.2.3-.3.7-.2 1.1l3.8 16.2c.1.5.5.9.9 1l2.5.9c2.2.8 3.1 3 3.4 4.2.4 1.4.7 3 1.1 4.6 1.8 7.6 4 17 7.9 25.9-7.6 8.2-13.4 15.3-16.2 18.9-.5.7-.8 1.5-.7 2.4.1.8.5 1.5 1 2 .5.7 1.9 2.6 4.6 3.4 2.4.7 4.6 1 6.6 1 7.8 0 13.4-4.7 17.5-9.4 6.7 5.9 15.6 9.7 27.8 9.7 43.9 0 52.1-24.5 57.5-40.7 3.3-9.8 5.4-15.3 11.4-15.3 6.1 0 8.3 5.6 11.6 15.4 5.4 16.1 13.5 40.6 57.4 40.6 12.4 0 21.4-4 28.2-10.1 4.2 4.8 9.8 9.8 17.8 9.8 2 0 4.2-.3 6.6-1.1 2.6-.8 4.1-2.7 4.6-3.4.6-.5.9-1.2 1-2 .1-.9-.1-1.7-.7-2.4-2.9-3.7-8.9-11-16.7-19.4 3.8-8.7 6-18 7.7-25.4.3-1.5.7-3 1-4.5zm-238.6 54.5c-2.1-.6-3.1-2.3-3.1-2.3-.1-.2-.2-.3-.4-.4-.1-.1-.1-.2-.1-.2 0-.1 0-.2.1-.3 2.7-3.4 8.2-10.1 15.3-17.9 2.5 4.9 5.5 9.6 9.4 13.5-6.9 7.9-13.1 10.1-21.2 7.6zm244.3-3.3c.1.1.1.2.1.3 0 .1 0 .2-.1.2l-.4.4s-1 1.7-3.1 2.3c-8.2 2.5-14.5.2-21.6-8 3.9-4 6.9-8.7 9.3-13.7 7.4 8.1 13 15 15.8 18.5zm-9.5-47.2c-4.8 20.6-12.1 51.7-45.8 51.7-41.8 0-49.2-22.3-54.7-38.6-3.1-9.3-5.8-17.4-14.3-17.4-8.3 0-11 8-14.1 17.3-5.5 16.3-12.9 38.7-54.8 38.7-33.7 0-41-31.1-45.8-51.7-.4-1.7-.8-3.2-1.1-4.7-.8-3.1-2.6-5.3-5.2-6.2l-1.7-.6-3.2-14c59.5-7.9 91.5 0 110.7 4.7 6.6 1.6 11.4 2.8 15.3 2.8s8.7-1.2 15.3-2.8c19.2-4.7 51.2-12.6 110.7-4.7l-3.2 14-1.7.6c-2.5.9-4.4 3.2-5.2 6.2-.5 1.5-.8 3.1-1.2 4.7z"/><path d="M383.9 232c0-4.1-13.7-4.1-13.7 0 0 2 3.4 3.1 6.8 3.1 3.5 0 6.9-1 6.9-3.1zm-6.8 1.7c-3.4 0-5.4-1.1-5.4-1.7s2.1-1.7 5.4-1.7c3.4 0 5.4 1.1 5.4 1.7s-2.1 1.7-5.4 1.7zM141.8 232c0 2 3.4 3.1 6.8 3.1s6.8-1.1 6.8-3.1c.1-4-13.6-4-13.6 0zm6.8 1.7c-3.4 0-5.4-1.1-5.4-1.7s2.1-1.7 5.4-1.7 5.4 1.1 5.4 1.7-2 1.7-5.4 1.7zM356 227.6c-7.9-2-36.2-7.4-68 5.5-5.7 2.3-9.4 8-9.1 14.1.9 22.6 7 52.6 48.7 52.6 12.9 0 23.1-3.8 30.2-11.4 11.3-12.1 12.7-30.8 11.8-44.5-.6-7.9-6-14.4-13.6-16.3zm-67.5 6.8c15.7-6.4 30.5-8.2 42.4-8.2 11.9 0 20.8 1.8 24.7 2.8 5.3 1.3 9.4 5.1 11.4 10h-.1c-.1 0-14.3 1.7-36.4 3.5-9 .7-20.2 1.6-32.9 2.2h-.8c-.1 0-.2 0-.3.1-5 .3-10.2.5-15.6.7-.2 0-.3.1-.5.1.4-5.1 3.5-9.4 8.1-11.2zm39.1 64c-39.9 0-46.2-28.5-47.2-50.4.2.1.3.1.5.1 5.8-.2 11.4-.4 16.7-.7 28.4.1 40.9 18.3 51.9 34.4 1.6 2.4 3.2 4.7 4.8 6.9.2.2.4.4.7.5-6.8 6.1-15.9 9.2-27.4 9.2zm29.2-11.1c0-.1-.1-.3-.2-.4-1.6-2.2-3.1-4.4-4.7-6.8-8.8-12.9-19.4-28.3-39.2-33.7 6.5-.4 12.4-.9 17.6-1.3 10.4 5.8 21.4 14.7 33.6 27.3.3.3.6.4 1 .4h.1c-1.8 5.4-4.4 10.4-8.2 14.5zm9-17c-11-11.2-21.1-19.6-30.6-25.5 19.5-1.6 31.9-3.1 32-3.1.2 0 .4-.1.5-.2.2.8.3 1.6.3 2.5.5 6.7.5 16.7-2.2 26.3zM238 233c-31.7-12.9-60-7.5-68-5.5-7.6 1.9-13.1 8.5-13.6 16.4-.9 13.6.5 32.4 11.8 44.5 7.1 7.6 17.3 11.4 30.2 11.4 41.7 0 47.8-30 48.7-52.6.3-6.2-3.4-11.8-9.1-14.2zm-67.6-4.1c7.7-1.9 34.9-7.2 65.7 4.9-8 .9-14.7 1.5-22.6 2.2-5.5.5-11.6 2.6-18.3 6.3-21.8-1.7-35.8-3.4-36-3.4h-.3c2.1-4.9 6.2-8.6 11.5-10zM157.9 244c.1-.9.2-1.8.4-2.6.2.2.4.3.7.3.1 0 12.5 1.5 32 3.1-9.6 6-19.7 14.4-30.7 25.7-2.8-9.7-2.8-19.8-2.4-26.5zm40.5 54.4c-11.5 0-20.6-3.1-27.4-9.2.3-.1.6-.2.8-.5 1.5-2.1 3-4.2 4.6-6.5 11.4-16.5 24.3-35.1 55.1-34 5.1.2 8.8.3 13.6.3.2 0 .3 0 .4-.1-.9 21.9-7.3 50-47.1 50zm46.8-52.7c-4.8 0-8.4-.1-13.5-.3-32.4-1.3-46.4 19-57.6 35.2-1.6 2.3-3 4.4-4.5 6.4-.1.2-.2.3-.2.5-3.9-4.2-6.5-9.2-8.3-14.5h.3c.4 0 .7-.1 1-.4 12.3-12.6 23.4-21.6 34-27.5 6.5-3.6 12.4-5.7 17.6-6.2 8.5-.7 15.7-1.5 24.7-2.4.5-.1 1-.4 1.2-.9 3.5 2.3 5.7 6.1 6 10.2-.4-.1-.5-.1-.7-.1z"/></svg>)
