The Money Saving Fifty (50)

Stress-reduction techniques are often sought after when pressures mount. But when that pressure comes from financial difficulties, stress-reduction needs to be economical as well as effective. Thankfully, you really don’t need a lot of money to take advantage of some simple stress-relieving techniques. Here are some suggestions to get your body and mind relaxed.

1. Breathe deeply
You breathe all the time; how can doing more of it help you relax? Breathing to relax is not the same as the breathing you do every day. Specifically, deep breathing helps center your focus and delivers much-needed oxygen to every part of your body. Take in air slowly into your lungs, visualizing the air going all the way to the bottom of your lungs and body. Pause, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Yoga, Tai Chi, and other Eastern disciplines use variations of this technique.

2. Exercise
Stress puts your body into “fight or flight” mode, which can exhaust your adrenal glands and cause a build-up of toxins in your system. Exercise reduces these toxins by increasing circulation. The increased blood flow helps relax tight muscles. Keep the exercise fairly gentle – injuries and muscle soreness are not what you are aiming for.

3. Herbal teas
Herbal teas are non-habit forming and affordable. Most grocery stores carry blends geared toward relaxation or relieving tension. You can also try a single herb tea – lemon balm and catnip are pleasant-tasting and known for their relaxing properties. Try to grab a quiet moment to sip your tea, and/or sip throughout the day. Of course, if you are pregnant or nursing, or taking any medications, check with your doctor before drinking any herbal teas.

4. Prayer or meditation
A big part of reducing stress is shifting focus. Getting your mind off of the situation and onto a higher power helps put your problems in perspective and helps relieve the mental burden.

5. Stretch/Massage
Muscles tighten up in response to tension. If continually tense, muscles can pull bones and joints out of alignment. Stretching relieves the tightness and lets the joints fall back into place. Yoga and other Eastern disciplines offer excellent stretching techniques.

You don’t have to pay for a class, although the social aspect can help a lot with relieving stress. There are books and online instructional videos to help you get started. While you are stretching, pray or meditate as noted above so that you don’t spend your entire session worrying about your finances. That defeats the purpose of stretching!

6. Eat light
The digestive system seems to bear the brunt of our stresses. Take care of your digestive system by consuming healthy, whole foods without preservatives and other additives. Be sure to eat foods with “good” bacteria in them, such as yogurt. It’s tempting to eat a lot of sugar or starch when you’re stressed, but indulging in these kinds of foods can actually increase your stress in the long run.

Many of us are feeling the economic pinch these days. But financial difficulty does not have to ruin your health or well-being.