Tag: Relaxation

Health(y) Promotion

Did You Know That Plants Can Help Reduce Stress?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Cottonbro Studio on Pexels.com

Plants are essential in relieving stress due to their mood-boosting properties. They provide a positive experience beneficial to a person’s mental and physical inclinations (Gu et al., 2022). The 4 most common plants that are known to reduce stress are Lavender, Jasmine, Lemon balm and Rosemary.

Lavender is one of the plants that help reduce stress. It contains a rich fragrance that boosts an individual’s mood once inhaled. Lavender’s floral smell is stipulated to have a calming effect, which decreases the experience of stress (Thrive, 2023). Consequently, it can be planted in one’s green space to help create positive moods.

Jasmine is also a stress-relieving plant because of its fragrant flowers. Even though it is identified as a shrub, it gives rise to flowers that release a pleasant smell (Thrive, 2023). Thus, when the fragrance is inhaled, an individual experiences a positive mood. This feeling reduces stress and increases contentment with the surrounding (Gu et al., 2022). Jasmine flowers are also colorful, which makes them visually therapeutic. Thus, they help to advance emotional and mental relaxation that reduces stress.

Lemon balm is recognized as one of the plants with positive effects on stress reduction. When used as an herb, its leaves release tantalizing flavors with calming effects (Thrive, 2023). The relaxing properties advance the mitigation of stress and its related issues. Lemon balm also has purple flowers that appear during summer. Their relevance is the provision of visual relaxation, which combats stress. Therefore, the use of this plant would reduce the condition.

Rosemary is a plant that can be used to trigger benefits that limit the experience of anxiety. In the green space, it transforms the atmosphere with its scent. Since it belongs to the mint family, it releases a fresh fragrance (Thrive, 2023). The resultant smell has positive psychological impacts. For example, when inhaled, the fragrance calms the body. It also energizes the mind, which shifts one’s thoughts from stress. Therefore, it is a meaningful plant that would advance the experience of positive outcomes.

References

Gu, J., Liu, H., & Lu, H. (2022). Can even a small amount of greenery be helpful in reducing stress? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 9778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169778

Thrive. (2023). Plants to help ease the mind. Thrive.org. Retrieved from https://www.thrive.org.uk/get-gardening/plants-to-help-ease-the-mind

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Health(y) Prevention Promotion

Got a Tension Headache? Here Are A Few Ways To Relieve It!

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Tension headaches affect the overall well-being of a person. The provision of interventions that relieve them advances the quality of life. One common way to relieve tension headaches is by using painkillers. (Hassan & Asaad, 2020). Medication is the first choice since it relieves pain. Physical exercises, such as yoga, provide leverage for the relaxation of the body, which can help to relieve tension headaches (Hassan & Asaad, 2020). Massages are also used to loosen tension in the head and neck muscles. This intervention is necessary because it stretches tight and shortened muscles, which aids in releasing tension in the head.

Other intervention measures that can be used to advance the relief of tension headaches include getting adequate sleep, using cold ice packs, etc. Changing sleep habits can help limit the experience of sleep apnea or insomnia. Cold packs can also be placed on the head to reduce tension headaches (Hassan & Asaad, 2020). The cooling effect reduces pain and minimizes headaches. If an individual has a tension headache, they are encouraged to stay at home and avoid taxing activities. They would also provide leverage for long-term quality health since they limit the experience of pain.

The application of non-evidence-based intervention measures may also relieve tension headaches. One relevant suggestion is to avoid stressful situations. The probability of having tension headaches are higher when we are stressed, or in noisy environments. That risk decreases when surroundings are conductive. In turn, calm environments are guaranteed to relieve tension headaches.

Reference

Hassan, M., & Asaad, T. (2020). Tension-type headache, its relation to stress, and how to relieve it by cryotherapy among academic students. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-020-00030-3

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Uncategorized

Clearly Defining Anxiety

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Yan Krukau on Pexels.com

Anxiety is a mental health state frequently experienced by people all over the world. This is true regardless of their age, gender, cultural background, or religious affiliation. According to Medline Plus in the NIH National Library of Medicine, when experienced, anxiety is the feeling of fear, distress, concern, and panic. As such, anxiety is not only experienced psychologically but also physically. When people are anxious, they perspire excessively, their heart rate increases, and their muscles are tense. However, when it emerges, anxiety is most frequently the body’s response to a stressful event, thought, or encounter. Yet, whenever it happens, it is the body’s ways of coping with overwhelming difficulties that can temporarily cause other disorders.

When anxiety reaches extreme extents, it contributes to the development of anxiety disorder, phobias, or panic attacks. This is evident by increased breathing, feeling as if a heart attack is occurring, and being overwhelmed with weakness. Anxiety reaches levels of this concern when people have mounting challenges related to relationships, school, work, health, or money. Medline Plus states the difference in the two disorders is the length of time the stress persists. Typically, stress sustained for over six months daily contributes to the development of disorders. However, when phobias are experienced, it is often the result of being afraid of things that will cause minimal to no danger. Most often, this is related to things like spiders and snakes, heights, tight spaces, or social environments. Yet, the threat is not as real as the fear that accompanies it.

As a way to positively address problems with anxiety, cognitive behavior therapy is the most effective recommendation. This psychological approach refers to the integration of teaching people to think different to change how they act. When people are trained to react with confidence and assurance, they can prevent being afraid and being overtaken with fear. Another step people can take is towards eliminating anxiety is to avoid triggers. This means talking about bothersome subjects and eliminating aspects of life that provoke fear. Lastly, people can seek psychiatric treatment. This means being prescribed antidepressants to reduce symptoms, increase productivity, and promote a sense of normalcy. Yet, meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques can be just as advantageous as well.

References

Medline Plus. (2020). Anxiety. NIH National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov

/anxiety.html

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