Stressed? Anxious? Struggling to switch off and relax? We asked the experts for their top stress-busters.
The streets may be quiet, but our minds are in overdrive right now… hands up if you can relate SWIISH tribe.
With everyone struggling to find their calm at the moment, we spoke with the experts to give us their top wellness tips…
1. BREATHE
Before you read on, pause.
Take one deep breath in… now pause again.
Hold this. Countdown from 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… and release.
Let all that air leave the body.
Feel a little better? We do too.
When you’re constantly stressed, your body enters the ‘sympathetic nervous system’ associated with anxiety and cortisol (aka ‘stress hormone’) dominance. Breath experts explain that deep, slow, and controlled breathing can calm your entire nervous system into the ‘rest and digest’ state.
SWIISH Tip: Repeat the breathing technique we started with for just a couple of minutes each night before bed, or when you feel stressed.
2. SWEAT
Exercise is the ultimate mood booster.
When you get your sweat on, your body releases little things called endorphins… aka our naturally occurring opioids! Experts say that endorphins help combat feelings of stress and anxiety.
SWIISH Tip: Go for a beautiful walk, run, or bike ride by yourself… even if only for 10 minutes! The fresh air will do your nervous system a world of good.
3. FOCUS
… on the GOOD, and the good gets better.
Whilst staying informed at the moment is paramount, it’s just as important that you switch off from time to time as well.
Here are some feel-good activities to turn your attention:
Donate to an organisation
Cooking wholesome meals
Sorting through old family photos
Reading or writing
Having your own damn dance party
Watching a movie with your loved ones
Getting some sunshine
Re-organising furniture
Cleaning out “the junk draw”
Creating a donations bag of clothes or household items
Working on your side hustle that you never have time for!!
4. FUEL
You should never underestimate the power of a good meal… or piece of chocolate! At times of stress, nourish your body with these foods that experts say boost mood and happiness hormones.
Cacao. Add it to a smoothie or enjoy some dark chocolate, because cacao is involved in the release of hormones norepinephrine and dopamine, giving us a mini feeling of “euphoria”
Cashews. For a mood-boosting snack, cashews are our go-to. They contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin – our happiness hormone!
Saffron. Turned into a tea or added to your dinner, saffron contains carotenoids and B vitamins that help elevate your natural levels of serotonin, in turn reducing stress!
5. SLEEP
A bad night sleep leads to more coffee. More coffee leads to heightened anxiety. Then that anxiety translates to overthinking… and what does that mean? A bad sleep, again.
We’re guessing you’re familiar with the cycle.
Sleep deprivation is linked to:
Higher stress
Compromised immunity
Mood dysregulation
Weight gain
Poor cognition
Hormonal dysfunction
So, what can you do?
The sleep hormone – melatonin – should be your no.1 focus for improving sleep and mental wellbeing.
Our SLEEP Superfood Powder was designed to help your body produce melatonin.
Mixed with warm milk for a delicious mild chai flavour, enjoying 1-2 scoops of SLEEP 30 minutes before bedtime is the perfect way to unwind and calm your nervous system for bed.
