The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean your stress is.

At the Green Queen, we’re always trying to look for practical ways to make life better, especially when it comes to de-stressing. We’re talking about simple steps you can take to make small changes.

With that in mind, we put together our top 7 ways to de-stress naturally. No toxins, no chemicals, all natural.

#1 – Lavender

Lavender is an herb that can be used on a daily basis to naturally create a calm mood.

Try drinking lavender tea throughout the day and lathering lavender lotion onto your body.

Lavender essential oils are also a great option. You can diffuse them or add them to roller balls that you can apply to your body.

#2 – Chamomile

Chamomile is widely known as a helpful sleep aid. While it can help to relax your mind and body, it has other uses, too.

For example, you can swallow a few pellets of chamomile to relieve anxiety. You can also give kids a pellet to help them sleep

Drink chamomile tea to help calm nerves and prepare you to sleep. Essential oils that include chamomile are also a good option. Just make sure to add coconut or another oil if you are going to apply chamomile on your skin.

#3 – Essential Oils

Essential oils are one of the best ways to de-stress naturally. If you’re not sure how to use essential oils, start off by purchasing pre-made blends.

For stress relief, the best blends will have words like “harmony” and “stress-relief” in the names. Set up a diffuser in your home and office to get these scents circulating. Diffuser – house or office to calm you.

Remember, just because something smells good doesn’t mean it is good. There are a lot of synthetic fragrances available that smell like chamomile or lavender. Using these will just mean ingesting a lot of toxic chemicals.

Essential oils are medicinal and they’re not all made the same. Since oils soak into your skin cells, make it a priority to only purchase USDA organic essential oils. Brand such as DoTerra, Young Living, and Rocky Mountain Oils are all great options.

Pro tip: For kids, only purchase child-safe lines of essential oils and don’t ever use oils on kids under the age of two.

#4 – Herbs

Ever heard of Ashwagandha? It’s an herb that’s been dubbed Nature’s Prozac because of its helpful effects on people struggling with anxiety issues and severe stress. In some cases, you can substitute the herb for anxiety-reducing medicines.

While you should always talk to your doctor about anything you’re taking, Ashwagandha is an option to consider to de-stress naturally. We recommend the brand Gaia based out of North Carolina.

Another mood-boosting herb to try is St. John’s Wort, which has been well known as an anxiety reducing drug for many years.

#5 – Natural Sleep Aids

It’s hard to sleep when you’re stressed. But you need sleep in order to decrease stress. While it may seem you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, there are actually a few things you can do to help.

First, try a magnesium bath. Add magnesium to hot bath water so your body can absorb the mineral. Magnesium is widely known as Nature’s Muscle Relaxer. Bonus – it can also help relive constipation.

Stop taking your melatonin to help you sleep. Did you know it’s actually a hormone? Try this natural sleep aid instead – it works wonders and unlike melatonin, won’t mess with your body.

#6 – Eat Right

The best was to decrease stress is to cut out sugar from your diet. But if you just can’t say no to chocolate, try increasing your intake of fats (avacado + salmon) and protein to stabilize your blood sugar.

#7 – Meditation

Meditation has been proved to prevent stress. Even if you don’t think you have time for it with your busy schedule, if you can set aside just a few minutes for it a day, you’ll see a significant difference in your mood.

We recommend the Simple Habit and Headspace apps.

 

Conclusion: Self-Care Comes First

When we get busy, self care is the first thing to go… if it even started.

Don’t let that be the case.

Stress will kill you faster than anything. You have to find a way to lower it in your life, and these 7 tactics will help you de-stress naturally. Do it for your health, for yourself and for your family.

And watch our CEO Jennifer Hankey give these & more natural de-stressing tips on Atlanta + Company.