Alternative therapies for stress management

Managing stress is all about taking charge and dealing with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life. Getting help when required is essential, because this is one problem that cannot be ignored. Although medications are available, we're discussing a few alternate therapies for management. These are hassle free and research shows they work as efficient stress busters.

Acupressure
There are several ways in which you can do acupressure, and you'll need to experiment to discover what feels best. Firm pressure using fingers, palms, or knuckles means applying pressure steadily for one to several minutes. Another technique is to knead the muscles with your fingers or heels of your hands, the motion is similar to kneading dough. Rubbing an acupressure point will increase circulation, and quick tapping with your fingertips or fists stimulates the muscles. Acupressure is most beneficial when practiced daily, though even two or three times each week can help relieve tension and ailments.

Meditation
Meditation and relaxation response can help combat stress and revitalize the mind. Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, relax your muscles, and allow yourself to breathe slowly and naturally. Exhale gradually. After doing this for 10 to 20 minutes once or twice a day, you may notice your stress drifting away along with your exhalations.

Naturopathy
Naturopathy is excellent for treating stress, including psychotherapy, relaxation techniques, herbal and homeopathic support, and osteopathic soft tissue treatments where appropriate. Supplements of vitamins and minerals may be advised as these are used up more quickly when the body is under stress.

Reflexology
An overall reflexology session, touching all of the major points of the hands and feet, will help relax you and ward off stress. To deal with extra tension, pay special attention to the diaphragm, the spine and the pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid and adrenal gland reflexes.

Colour therapy
In the visual arts, colour theory is a body of practical guidance to colour mixing and the visual impacts of specific colour combination. Colour therapy helps to alleviate stress by utilizing the colours of the rainbow through visualization, colored oils, coloured glass or coloured silk in a therapeutic environment.

Yoga
Yoga is very good for stress. It offers gentle asanas, relaxation, pranayama, meditation, shat kriyas and hand mudras. The complete breath exercise can be done at your desk, in the car or anywhere else when you start to feel stressed out. Meditation helps calm your mind, teaching you to relax at will and giving you a quick mental vacation whenever you need one. And daily practice of three or four yoga poses will help ease knotted muscles. Try varying the poses daily to keep your interest high and to strengthen different parts of your body.