A Simplistic Remedy To Anxiety And Stress

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Let nature heel, a simplistic remedy to anxiety and stress. Everyone has feelings of stress and anxiety from time to time during our lives. In fact these feelings are natural and even helpful when we can overcome them, helping us grow. However, events can occur in our lives that can make these stresses feel crushing. For example, a few weeks ago my husband was attacked on the street a few blocks from our home. A group of kids hit him from behind dropping him to the ground. While he was down, they punched and kicked him breaking his jaw in three places. It was senseless. They did not rob him and they ran away as quickly as the event happened. Because it was a random attack, the police did not have any leads, and the case was closed without resolution!

The days and weeks that followed brought different levels of stress and anxiety to myself and our family. Feelings of helplessness; I could not do anything to relieve my husbands pain. Feelings of anger; why would anyone do this to him, and could they do it to me or my children. Feelings of anxiety; my husband being out of work, while the medical bills started to mount.

I could have self-medicated with prescription drugs or alcohol, but I found something better. I got out into nature and went hiking. I know, I can hear your skepticism, but it works. I am lucky I live in a valley surrounded by mountains. Most cities have beautiful lush parks, which will work just the same.

Breathe. Pick a trail and get moving, after a few minutes breathing will become rapid, inhale deep taking in the fresh smells of the trees and forest plants. Its almost as if the forest air filling your lungs is pushing out the negativity that had been gripping your lungs. With fresh air circulating through your body, your head begins to clear.

Hills. Take all of the stress, anxiety, anger, or whatever is bothering you, and use it to tackle a hill. Believe me, it works. Turning all of the negativity into positive energy to propel you up the hill. When you reach the top, heart pounding and lungs crying, take a rest and look around at the positive beauty about you. By this point in a hike, you will probably be alone. Most people do not give the effort to climb the hills. The reward of the view atop a hill is priceless. Notice the details this vantage point gives you; wild flowers, birds souring, the valley floor below. Feelings of peace will find you when you conquer a hill and relax on its top.

Smile. Now the easy part, coming down the mountain. By this point, you will be feeling calm with endorphins filling your blood stream. I will often just start smiling. Smiling has many positive side effects on your well-being. Even if you have to force a smile, just try it. You can now focus on all the positive aspects of your life. My example: my husband is alive and will make a full recover, I have two healthy beautiful children, I have a healthy body that can carry me to the top of a mountain, the list goes on and on.

Life is always going to give us obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. When it does, use this simple technique to help you get the negative feelings under control. Getting out in nature, filling our lungs with fresh air, will help you clear your head and put obstacles in proper perspective. The best part is, its free and has no negative side effects. Repeat as needed. Enjoy a beautiful life.