Combat stress with these 6 natural strategies

If you're feeling stressed out, there are lots of solutions available, from medication and therapy to exercise, meditation, and nutrition. We'll go over 6 natural strategies to help you feel more relaxed.

If you're feeling stressed, relief is as close as your herb garden or supermarket. Basil tea is a calming concoction for many people. Just put three fresh basil leaves in a cup of hot water and steep for 10 minutes before drinking.

• If you have a tendency to get anxious, it's probably wise to cut back on caffeine. It blocks the calming effects of the brain chemical adenosine, which usually helps promote calmness and sleepiness.
• You don't need to consume large amounts of coffee at once for it to impair your calm: one study found that drinking the equivalent of two cups of coffee over five hours could make you as jittery and anxious as if you'd chugged two cups all at once.

If you've got a big speech to deliver and can already feel your heart racing, try munching on sunflower seeds for a few hours before the presentation. Why? Because low levels of magnesium can contribute to anxiety. Anxiety, in turn, depletes your body of magnesium even more as a result of the fight-or-flight response. Sunflower seeds are rich in magnesium and can help break this cycle. It can also be good to supplement with magnesium in the morning and before you go to bed.

• Studies have shown that watching something funny is enough to boost stress-busting hormones like endorphins, and drop levels of stress-inducing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine.
• Researchers tested 16 men, half of whom knew they were going to watch a funny video three days before they did. The ones who knew the laughs were coming had huge decreases in stress-inducing hormones and increases in relaxation-enhancing hormones even before watching the film. Those who didn't get to see the movie had no changes.

Paint the room a calming light blue or green, as these colours have been shown to aid in relaxation. Add a soothing scented candle, lights on a dimmer switch, and a comfortable chair with a soft throw. Having a place you can go when you're feeling stressed can provide lots of relief, even when you aren't there. Just knowing that there's a haven around can make life seem less stressful.

Studies find that viewing works of art can reduce stress hormones, no matter how much the art is worth monetarily. You don't need expensive paintings to reap the benefits! If you're stressed, you could start attending art auctions, visit a museum, or simply frame and hang your kids' pictures on the walls. Another option: make your own art! Any kind of creative activity like painting or drawing can reduce stress.

Stress is an epidemic. But there are lots of ways you can try to reduce the stress you feel from day to day. Use these tips as a starting point, and try to live a more mindful, organized life. With a bit of effort and a change in perspective, you can beat stress once and for all.