No-Doz.
It got me through college finals and then, later, through five-night-a-week holiday parties, baking, and present wrapping. Those were the days, long ago. Back when I had little regard for my health – or for the insanity I projected onto other people. If you’ve never taken No-Doz, it’s like … filling your body with a million bees that have just eaten 7 tons of espresso beans.
It’s not pretty. And it doesn’t really get the job done.
In fact, too much caffeine can raise your stress levels even higher (especially on days/nights where you’re eating nothing at all).
However (! of course), there are natural, gentle ways to coax yourself – willingly, energetically, and lovingly – through the holiday season. These happen to be my five favorite ways to reduce stress levels WHILE – at the exact same stinkin’ time – gently and effectively boosting your levels of energy.
5 Natural Ways to Reduce Stress AND Boost Energy
NEVER Underestimate the Power of Vitamin B
It would be a shame to go through life without discovering the wonders of this particular stress-reducing, energy-promoting vitamin:
Vitamin B does wonders for stress and anxiety levels (almost instantly, for me), but it also gives you a boost of sustained energy that helps carry you throughout the day.
Most people don’t get the proper amount of vitamin B in their diet naturally, and during this time of year you may want to supplement a little extra anyway – just to help yourself get the support you need to deal with Aunt Fern. She’s a real drain on the happy holiday spirit. Except her yogurt-covered pretzels. Those are good. Mmm.
Vitamin B actually comes in 8 different “types,” each as important as the next. Because not all foods that are high in one B vitamin will be high in another, it makes it difficult to adjust your diet to make sure you’re getting ALL the Bs. However, you can get a decent boost of Bs by eating things like quality meat products, kombucha, whole grains, and molasses.
Like I said, though, you might just want to consider finding a quality B-complex supplement to give you a boost when you really need it.
But wait! That’s not all! Holiday accidental-overindulgence on the alcohol tip: Taking a dose of B-complex supplement before you go to bed at night, if you’ve had one or two extra hot toddies, may help you stave off a hangover in the morning. I say that, because it has helped me. On occasion. (Like I ever drink. Psssht.)
The only caveat is that it may give you too much energy to sleep in late the next morning, like you’d planned.
2. ACCUPRESSURE
He used to slap himself – loudly and viciously – on the back of the neck when he was driving late at night, my dad. I’d be in the backseat, drowsing off, and hear “AUGH! *slap!* *SMACK* *THWACK!* … Ahhh. Much better.”
I didn’t understand this little trick until I drove across three states in 12 hours – all at night. But there’s something about thwacking yourself (with an open-palm) on the back of the neck, just under the base of your spine that helps you let go of stress, and wakes you up for at least an hour afterward.
You don’t have to be quite so loud and violent, though, with this (very loosely adapted) acupressure technique.
Two Acupressure Moves to Reduce Stress and Increase Mental Alertness:
- First, to reduce your stress, interlace your hands behind your head and let your thumbs drop down naturally on each side of the back of your neck. Feel around for the indentation between the bones and the muscles in your neck (on each side) just under the base of the skull. Press your thumbs into those areas and gradually increase pressure. Hold for 2-3 minutes.
- Then, to increase your mental alertness, take your first fingertip and press it into the groove under your nose and above your lips (also known as the philtrum). Again, gradually increase the pressure and hold for 2-3 minutes.
Fixed forever. (Or until you pick up your physics book … or start the next batch of shortbread.) Good news – you can repeat this as often as you need to. No overdosing here!
3. YERBA FREAKIN’ MATE
Not quite coffee, but zippier than green tea:
Instead of overdosing on the coffee (or – gasp! – No-Doz) during these stressful times, try picking up a small bag of unsmoked, green yerba mate and making yourself a cup or two every day.
Not only does yerba mate have a HUGE variety of antioxidants, minerals, and other healthful properties, but it contains caffeine that (for me, anyway) doesn’t come with a jittery buzzy feeling or a crash later.
Plus! Mate offers a smooth calming effect – especially if you drink it with a little hot milk (a mate latte, as it were).
4. STOP What You’re Doing – And Give Someone a HUG
The moment you find yourself overtired, overwhelmed, and ready to cry … stop.
Look up.
Walk out the door.
Whatever you have to do to find another person (preferably someone you know, and who won’t hit you for invading their personal space).
Give them a long, 30-second or more hug. Hug them tight and relax in their arms. Even if it’s your child. NO! Especially if it’s your child.
Physical touch, especially when it’s full of feeling (even if that feeling is simply relief) seriously, swear-on-everything-that’s-mistletoe, releases endorphins and chemicals within your body that helps you relax, clear your mind, and refocus.
Specifically the chemicals serotonin and oxytocin. These two chemicals will do wonders for your state of mind, the physical well-being of your body, and may even create a stronger bond between you and the one you’re hugging.
So in the middle of that cram session, or whenever wrapping gifts has you all wound up, stop and give someone a real, honest-to-goodness hug. And feel the relief.
(Then thank them, or else they might feel used … heh.)
5. Pop Open the Peppermint (Tea or Essential Oil)
Ahhh … peppermint. Not only is it one super effective natural solution to stress and low energy levels, but it smells like CHRISTMAS YAY!
Hands down, it’s one of the most effective energy boosters in aromatherapy terms, but you don’t have to use in essential oil forms to receive it’s stress-relieving, focus-giving benefits.
Pop down to the store and buy yourself some peppermint tea. Savor the taste, if you’d like, but you could also put a few bags of tea in a small pot filled with water. Leave it on simmer on your stove for a while, and relax as the peppermint scent envelopes your house with its lively goodness.
But if you DO want to use your peppermint essential oil for this aromatherapeutic magic, try using it with an oil diffuser (pictured above). It’s my personal favorite way to fill the room with energizing pepperminty glee. Just pop a tea light in the bottom compartment and heat up the essential oil until it vaporizes into the air around you.
You’ll feel instantly calm, but alert and ready to go another round with the brothers and sisters over a game of Scrabble. (Or, my personal favorite, Quelf.)
Do You Have Any Stress-Busting AND Energy-Giving Home Remedies?
Lest you find yourself in a poopy mood at some point, which often tends to happen when you look at your bank account after a long day of shopping (unless you’re MAKING YOUR PRESENTS!), here’s another post I wrote some time ago about 5 Tricks to Get You Back Into a Great Mood.
Those are all pretty psychological – just quick little mind tricks that help you let go of your problems and get back to the business of being happy (or finishing that test).
But now I want to know: Psychological, spiritual, or physical … do you have any personal ways you use to rev up your energy and banish your stress?
Help us all, Rhondas!
40 Hot Homemade Gift Ideas: 20 More for the Ladies!
has anyone found that b vitamins cause acne breakouts? Is that just a myth?
Accupressure is awesome- especially when skeptics are like “WOW, that does feel better”. And the scents of lavender, peppermint, really good vanilla or cinnamon. A well-brewed cup of tea (any kind) and a good book after a long walk are lovely ways to unwind. I’ve never tried Yerba Mate, sounds like I should! Vitamin B is pretty amazing; I take bee pollen, propolis and royal jelly every day. It’s comforting to know that others like this game too; I adore Quelf, it is the silliest and most wonderful game (love it when you have to end every word with “izzle”)!
I took no doz ONE time and will never take it again, I ended up going to the hospital and they told me my body was reacting to is as if I just did cocaine! Just seeing it in the stores makes my stomach turn!!
Any B vitamin in particular? (Haha, just studied these for a nutrition exam).
I am mid-exams and needing the help badly.
My go-to stress buster isn’t quite acupressure, I guess. It’s self massage. I believe EVERYONE should massage themselves (and their partners) regularly. We spend so much time ignoring, abusing, and stressing out our bodies, but how often do we really
I am a serious Yerba Mate convert. For those coffee lovers, give Java Mate a try (just go to the Guayaki website and search, don’t want my comment to seem spammy)! I use the Vanilla Nut Java Mate, which tastes similar to coffee but without the harsh bitterness. I add some of my homemade chocolate coffee creamer, and I have my Choco-Yerba-Latte! I now have 2 other coworkers on it too, and we’re all happy
Also, I LOVE Quelf! More people should try it.
i am so getting some b-vitamins tomorrow, and maybe royal jelly too.
when my team and i were up in the wee hours working on our senior project and we started fading, one of the girls would announce that it was “arm circles” time. (you know, that thing you do in middle school pe where you hold your arms straight out to the sides and make little circles forward then backward…) we all grumbled, but it really works! a great way to get blood pumping up to your brain when you feel like sleeping on the floor in the computer lab. and the confused looks when someone else walks into the room are always fun. 🙂
i love yerba mate! another thing i like to do for a caffeine boost without the crash is mix black tea and green tea.
my trick for a late-night morale boost: videos of puppies and kittens on youtube. you may need to set a time limit for yourself before you start watching. 🙂
Yay for B vitamins!!!! Have ya tried Royal Jelly? Much more natural than popping a pill. Has all of the b vitamins (even b12!) and a little goes a super long way. Usually fresh in the refrigerator at the health food store. We’ve been taking it for about half a year now and I so totally don’t need coffee anymore because of it. Love it!
Love all of these ideas!
For me, I have been practicing conscious, focused breathing for a few years now. WOW! What am amazing “tool” that is free and can be practiced anywhere, any time, and no one needs to know. I have made it a habit every morning and every night when I am in bed, right after waking up (before anyone knows I am awake…tip for other moms) and right before falling asleep. It is multi-purpose in that it helps me sleep well at night and wake up fully in the morning…both relaxing and refreshing…the simple breath. I learned “transformational breathwork” with a facilitator in person (group workshops and individual sessions) and then adapted it to meet my daily needs. Fabulous!
When I still get that jittery, everything is happening at once, feeling once in a while, I resort to sitting quietly for a moment and gathering my thoughts before plowing ahead. Boy did this take PRACTICE and discipline. In the beginning, I would need to write a list on paper and reorganize my thoughts; then I could do it on the computer; now, I can usually do it in my head.
Daily walks outside, rain or shine, are immensely helpful for me, also. I walk my daughter to school every morning and walk to get her every afternoon. Wow! Another amazing tool! The nature all around me combined with fresh air and daylight, etc… Fabulous!
My favorites are a spoonful of honey, a brisk walk (10 minutes is all you need) or my very, very fav….a 30 minute sauna. I takes the stress out of my day and refreshes me!
Like Lissa, I, too, love to bake bread when I feel stressed. Something about kneading bread that is so relaxing. Actually, most any kind of cooking calms me. I feel blessed and nourished when I see the shelf of my beautifully colored cultured veggies waiting to be enjoyed. I also love listing to music as I cook. When my favorite music is playing and I have a few kitchen projects under way… It always puts me in a happy place!
If cooking is not an option, closing my eyes and taking a few long, deep breaths helps. As I breathe, I try to blank out any thoughts and concentrate on my breath and imagine a peaceful place like a private, walled garden or the sea shore. I imagine the smells and sounds in this quiet place as I continue to breath and relax. It’s like a little vacation.
Sometimes I also repeat this poem…
Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life. In it’s brief course lie all the verities and realities of our existence. The bliss of growth, the splendor of beauty. For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well spent makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.
you, Betty, are a wonderful and lovely person. THANKYOU thankyou from the bottom of my heart. B-vitamin and yerba right now before my exam. you are the best!
Betty, down to earth common sense and you still make me giggle. Tis the season of headaches, anxiety, stress, and general bummed out feelings. This year is trying really hard to break a record. Thank you for this list. I totally forgot about the B vitamins … need to add that to my list.
Yerbe Mate is my friend – straight up or with a little milk and honey, molasses … something sweet. If I truly want to spoil myself, make a cup of mate and add milk and dark chocolate. Yes, chocolate. Mate Mocha.
Peppermint is fabulous. Don’t have time brew a cup of tea or oils are at home. Keep Original Peppermint Altoids handy. I’ve been known to sniff the tin and wake up
aahhh the memories of those no-doz days!!! So happy to hear I wasn’t alone on that one! What the heck was I ever thinking?!?! me who needs at least 9 hours of rest every night to keep from committing hari kari???
I keep meaning to try the yerba mate and now I will…I like the idea of a mate latte!I find that singing along to old-fashioned Christmas carols helps me stay calm and joyous at this time of year. All the familiarity and memories raises my spirits and helps me get through all I have to do :)Thanks for the tips and Happy Holidays!
I find that if I have a week or a month packed full of things to stress about it really helps if I make sure I go and work out a few times a week. I get to release all my tension in the workout and then I sleep so much better cause I’ve physically exhausted myself. I’m not staying up at night stressing, and then I’m well rested in the morning and I can get more done! yay! 🙂
Love Yerba, it’s a staple in my household because my family is south American. Totally works, and wakes you up without the jittery coffee buzz.
I like those tips about the pressure points! I never knew that. I felt *so* drowsy at work yesterday. I’m definately going to try this from now on! Oh! And i just heard from someone at work about the Yerba Mate thing! that sounds like something i’ll give a shot also. 🙂
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I’ve found that having and sticking to a hobby keeps my stress levels down. Even if I have no time, if I make time it helps sooo much. It makes me feel like I’m managing everything just fine even when I’m flying by the seat of my pants a little. For me it’s baking—when I’m to the point where I hate everything and am no good at anything, kneading bread dough or hand-creaming butter calms me down.
If I’ve taken half an hour off my studying time, when I get back to it I’m twice as productive, so it all balances out.
As long as I can find someone to eat the five dozen cookies my music lit test produced.
I agree with Kylieonwheels, about exercise!!! I find after a good workout most of my stress seems easier to deal with, like I spent the frustrations out on the equipment, or my feet lol.
I 100% agree on vitamin B too! I have been taking it this winter and it helps me with winter energy, stress, and I have an overall good feeling from it. I wonder if a vitamin B is offered that has the full range in one? It seems an awful lot to take if you want all the varieties, doesn’t it?!
Something that helps me also is not only to hug people, but help others. My husbands Grandma is who I help. Once a week I go over and just do something little, like vacuum her floors or wipe behind her toilet… it doesn’t take long, maybe half an hour.. but the good feeling it gives really helps me change my perspective on my stress. Maybe this won’t help with finals, but I always found helping people helps me more in the long run. It’s almost selfish for me to help people!!!!
So true, helping others is good for the soul.
Niacin! I just started taking it for my anxiety and WOW does it ever work, pretty much instantly.
There is a lot of great info online about it.
First of all, I LOVE Quelf!!! Its good to see other people like it as much as I do. Its one if the most hilarious games I’ve ever played and I recommend everyone go out and buy it RIGHT NOW!
And as for stress relief a couple cucumber slices swiped over the face then laid on the eyes as I listen to happy music is a nice way to feel better =]
If I’m over at my dad’s house I’ll have him give me an acupuncture treatment – works every time! If I’m home, I get hugs from my hubby and now my daughter (she’s 17 months now and loves to give hugs!) <3
I use tinctures of adaptagenic herbs like Holy Basil, Astragalus and Elethro Root.
Take a minute and do some stretches, especially for your back and neck. Then do that old chestnut -breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth. I know it’s an oldie but it really works.
I hope nobody walks into my office while I’m slapping myself on the back of the neck.
The accupressure works. I tried this right away and could feel the tension release from my back! Thanks for sharing
You read my mind…finals are killing me! These are such good ideas. Thank you SO much. I’ve been wanting to try Yerba Mate for a long time now, and this just might be the inspiration I need!
Similar to your hug suggestion, I’ve also found that purposeful relaxation (usually some really gentle yoga with focused breathing) actually makes me more productive and way more sane. It takes a little time, but I think it more than makes up for it! Same for other exercise too, I guess…
I go nuts if I don’t get out and exercise. There have been times when I’ve injured myself and haven’t been able to work out that tension as I usually do, and boy, I have not been a nice person to be around! So for me, I gotta get up early and ride my bike off into the sunrise 🙂
Never heard of Yerba Mate before…off to investigate…
Can’t wait to hear other people’s suggestions!
edit: wow, molasses, just reading up on that and it sounds like I should have found it long ago!