Page 33 - Mangwanani Magazine June 2020 Edition

nose in front of your hands and breathe in the refreshing scent
of mint, basil, or coriander. The aroma will help to stimulate
yoursenses. If you don’t have any fresh herbs at hand, simply
open a tub of our body butter product, and breathe in the
rich aroma of herbs and owers.

The ritual of healthy eating
Stress can lead to eating unhealthy foods, or overdoing the
number of cups of coffee or tea consumed in the day. Sure,
you might need some energy or a treat now and then, but
when you stress-eat or over-consume cups of coffee your ritual
could backre, and your stress levels could escalate.
Therefore, instead of reaching out for a cup of java, go for a
decaffeinated cup, or even a deliciously brewed cup of
rooibos. More so, there are foods that can help strengthen your
nerves. Food such as bananas, dark chocolate, nuts, or thick
Greek yogurt, or even ginger and avocados will all help to
calm your nerves. Not only are these healthy food items − they
are tasty too.

The ritual of being in touch with yourself
Iif the stress is external, maybe a co-worker getting on your
nerves, try hard to remove yourself from the situation. Become
sensitive to your reactions − listen to your body, since it will
warn you if your stress levels are rising. Alternatively, try rubbing
your hands vigorously together, while you stand with both feet
planted solidly on the ground. In many cases, the cause of
your stress is yourself; and the way you react to situations
around you. If you feel that you need help and that your
response is self- destructive, acknowledge this. That is not a
weakness − it is a strength. Seek and nd assistance. There are
many professionals out there who will help you on your
journey to become a stronger you.

The ritual of keeping a journal
You could lock your thoughts down in a journal. However,
when adopting this type of therapy, set a time in which you
note down personal thoughts and feelings. Five minutes a day
should be more than enough. Should there be a day on
which there is nothing to write, so be it. The idea is to banish
depressing thoughts from your head, allowing you to let go,
and relax.

Use these rituals and let them assist you when you feel as
though life is getting too much; or when there is a stressful
situation you simply cannot deal with. Change these rituals
and make them yours. After all, we are all different, even
though we all suffer from stress at times. Find what works for
you, and live your best life.