Studies show that high levels of stress have great impact on the brain. From memory problems to anxiety to learning difficulties, the effects of stress on the mind are immense. COVID-19 and the changes we’ve all had to adapt to in our daily lives have played havoc with with our stress levels. From worries about health, to home-working with family, the impact on relationships, these have been unprecedented times where fear and anxiety have lurked around every corner.  Joie Risk, Lifestyle Medicine & Wellbeing Coach, as well as MD of Sunlighten UK tell us ‘How To Reduce Stress and Boost your Relaxation Levels’.

Neuroscientists have shown that chronic stress can even cause differences in grey and white matter in the brain, as well as the size and connectivity of the amygdala. High levels of stress can even impact the amount of neurons found in the brain. Not only that, continued stress is the cause of countless physiological effects on the body, including increased blood pressure, weight gain and weakening of the immune system.

According to New York Times best-selling author and fitness expert Jorge Cruise – as well as many other health professionals – the more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body produces. Cortisol is a “fight or flight” hormone made in the adrenal glands that raises heart rate and blood pressure and leads to the deposit of excess calories in the midsection.

That said, many people are using this time to try to impact their health and other parts of their life in positive ways. Here are some ways to boost relaxation and reduce stress at home: 

• Journal - even if for 5 mins a day, getting your thoughts out of your mind and on paper can soothe stress and anxiety, especially if you are alone

• Run a bath and order some bath salts including magnesium daily

• Use aromatherapy oils in your home during the day

• Relax and reduce mental stress with our Sunlighten™ Solo System*. Our infrared therapy soothes your mind by enveloping your body in relaxing warmth. Our saunas reduce your cortisol levels immediately after, putting your body in a parasympathetic state- the opposite to fight or flight!!

• Practicing mindful meditation while in a sauna therapy session can also help with mental stress reduction. Alone time is maximised with a sauna therapy session, giving you an opportunity to reflect and move on from the stressors of the day.

More about the Solo System*

#inconversation - Podcast Series 4

Chloe Brotheridge - Hypnotherapist & Anxiety Coach

This week Natalie is in conversation with Anxiety Expert, Author and Hypnotherapist, Chloe Brotheridge to talk imposter syndrome, building resilience and the route to a calmer you. As the host of The Calmer You podcast and author of The Anxiety Solution, Chloe offers up her expert advice for managing stress and gives her top tips for tackling the negative effects of anxiety. She also discusses how we should accept self doubt as a natural part of being human.