Five Ways to De-Stress

One of the top contributing factors to modern day illness is stress.  Through my personal experience and watching those close to me, I have learned that inability to effectively deal with stress causes not only emotional instability but also physical ailments.  My diagnoses of Hashimoto’s is not an exception.  I slowly learned that my hormonal health depended heavily on how I manage everyday stressful situations.  It is important to note that stress does not always come from life situations, but it can also come from environmental factors, such as noise pollution, unhealthy foods etc. A few annoyed moments stuck in traffic everyday can cause your body to accumulate tension.

Here are my five ways that I was able to incorporate into my life to help me de-stress:

1. Journaling

Hitting pen on paper in itself is a therapeutic experience.  Some prefer to sketch, others prefer to color, and some even follow the “brain dump” philosophy in which they write down all that comes to their mind without following any set guidelines.  I have found great benefit in writing.  In fact, I used to have diaries upon diaries in my childhood.  Not every one is fond of recording their day to day activities.  As for me, my diary ritual ended as university took most of my time.  However, I have since learned that journaling is not limited to recording daily events but that it can be used to organize and coordinate different aspects of your life.  When it comes to de-stressing, nothing beats the power of spirituality and nearness to Allah (swt). One way that I have implemented that is through my Qur’an Journaling, as you may have seen my take in this video. I am a huge proponent of Qur’an Journaling as it relates to conscious reading of the sacred text.  As much as daily ritualistic reading is beneficial, the true purpose of reading the Qur’an is to understand and implement the lessons within.  In my experience, I found myself being fascinated with translation and then later being unable to recall what it was that fascinated me.  So now I read little but with mindfulness.  Once something impacts my heart, I jot it down in my Qur’an Journal.

Another great asset to complement the spiritual connection with Allah (swt) has been The Dua Journal.  Spending a few minutes with du’a, one of the most beautiful forms of worship, has been an incredible experience. In the journal, I am reminded to ask Allah (swt) constantly, to hold myself accountable, practice gratitude and to decide what will help me to make tomorrow a better day.  I hope you will give the therapeutic magic of pen and paper a try.

2. Meditation

With the promise of full transparency, meditation is something that I do not do enough of.  Recently I joined a local studio in which the focus is yoga, pilates and meditation.  The studio has created a calming environment where every one is welcomed and encouraged.  It was unfortunate that I always coupled meditation with questionable spiritual practices.  After researching a little bit more, I decided to give this practice a try with the help of a practitioner and came out feeling lightened and rejuvenated.  It was a delightful and soothing experience.  Since then, I have begun my journey to understand the role of breathing as a form of de-stressing the mind and the body.

It has become my mission to try to incorporate dhikr as part of my meditation practice.  There are days where I have failed, but the process of getting there has been a great way to remove everyday stress. Remember, it is only the process that matters. It is important to create a quiet atmosphere without many distractions before attempting meditation.  As a Muslim, this is a great way to stop, make du’a, praise Allah (swt) and then allow yourself to breathe into remembering our Creator.  As Allah (swt)  said in the Qur’an, “only in remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (13:28).   The purpose of meditation is to de-stress in this post, so it only makes sense to incorporate the spiritual remedy of doing just that.

3. Herbal Tonics

You will not find me shy in declaring the healing in herbs.  One place to find ease in mental and physical ailments is by turning your head towards the ground.  I am speaking about the abundance of herbs that have been used to treat illnesses as well as to manage every day stresses throughout centuries.  While there are specific uses of herbs to treat something, it is only beneficial to use some of them as part of your daily de-stressing ritual.  It can take a form of taking glycerine-based tinctures (many are made using alcohol, so beware) or it can be as easy as incorporating little bits and pieces in your daily food intake.

There is an abundance of such herbs and it can become overwhelming if you are just starting out. Here is where adaptogens come into play.  Adaptogens are a set of herbs that help the body deal with stresses.  Seeing as I am writing about just that, isn’t that a perfect addition?  They should be taken in small dosage , 1/2 teaspoon – 1 teaspoon, everyday to feel the benefits.  I find adding them to my matcha drinks, turmeric lattes, or even smoothies an easy way to do so. If you are considering herbs but don’t know where to start, look for adaptogens and you are on your way to a healthy beginning.  Do a little bit of research and dive in. Some of my personal recommendations are ashwagandha, reishi, cordyceps, maca, and he shou wu.

4. Nature

I find myself playing with a little device in my hand more often than it is safe to admit.  Those everyday interactions with a man-made creation filled with man-made ideals starts to chip away at one’s sense of calm little by little.  It is impossible, in my opinion, to declare a day of “no-phone-no-tv-no-ipad” at this time.  If I am confident in doing so, not much later I am once again attached to my phone with an excuse of “checking my email,” or “catching the news” or “talking to family.”  I have found great peace in looking for little bits of nature throughout the day.

Inside our four walls, we have three cats and houseplants to help do just that.  A few seconds to look up at the potted plant on the shelf or a minute or two of a purring session with the cats brings about a smile and a reminder to breathe. Even that is still too close to my vices for me. So, I have been playing around in the dirt outside with gardening, trees, and our new pets: chickens.  I consciously make the effort to go outside, stare into the greenery, touch and feel the ground, and engage with the chickens.  In the beginning, it felt like a chore but now, it has become a necessary way for me to relax my mind.  In fact, I wrote it down as one of the most essential things I do to manage my Hashimoto’s.

And if I am feeling so inclined, I take my cup of matcha and watch the chickens go about their daily adventures.  For you, this may not be an option.  So what I recommend is to seek nature whether it is by taking an evening stroll to look at the stars, or by driving to the nearest park for a brisk walk and an opportunity to reflect as you do so.

5. Self Love

Lastly, as difficult as it is to do so, it is very important to find time to do what you love.  For me, once a week, I try to put a mask on my face as a way of self-care.  Or if I feel the need, I delve into a cozy corner with a book in hand.  Cleaning helps me to center my mind, so if I am feeling the motivation (not as a chore of the day), then I take on such tasks.  Sometimes my way to disconnect is also to look out the window.  In spite of living in the desert, we have some thriving plants and bushes outside in our front yard, where I can stop thinking about the hustle and bustle of daily life, and just admire the sunlight through the leaves.

For you, it may be something different.  You may find running or sitting in a coffee shop with a friend to be your moment of calm.  Activities in this category are most likely not things that can be taken on every day, so choosing a day to do just that is an act of self-care in itself.  Find your day and choose to actively love yourself in it.

It has taken me a while, and a bout of illness to be honest, to understand the importance of de-stressing.  I hope some of these tips will find themselves situated in your life to help calm your mind and bring healing to your body, bi idhnillah.

-S