RELAXATION - TIPS & SCIENCE

TECHNOSTRESS - NATURES CURE

Eliminate or minimise technological exposure while maximising exposure to nature.

Modern life, habitat and its technological advances can contribute significantly to stress levels. The expression “technostress” coined by Psychologist Craig Bod is an apt word. Just 15 minutes walking in a forest promotes relaxation, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and can reduce cortisol, heart rate and BP. It may also reduce blood glucose levels, increase natural killer cell activity and improve immune system function (Song, et al., 2016)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27527193

SLEEP

The power of a regular sleeping cycle with at least 8-10hrs sleep between 8pm and 6am is often underestimated and sleep is regularly neglected with modern lifestyle. When sleep is disrupted, cortisol levels can increase and chronic fatigue results from accumulation of sleep debt (Niu, et al., 2011). Sleep deprivation can affect the HPA axis stimulating the thyroid metabolism at the wrong time of day 23:00-01:30 (Gary, et al., 1996) this may perpetuate sleep deprivation and fatigue (Bose, et al., 2009).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21350389

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8827131

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2858344/