A Great Stretching Routine to Reduce Stress

Ever notice how good you feel for a second or two after a good stretch in the morning? There’s good reason ― combining mindful stretches with deep breathing can actually help to reduce stress levels.

Stretching has other benefits, too, including better circulation, less joint pain and improved flexibility.

You can stretch anywhere you like. Some people enjoy stretching in the great outdoors, at the beach or a local park, some prefer the privacy of home, while watching TV or accompanied by soothing music.

Whatever your preference, stretching for 15 to 20 minutes, three times a week, is an ideal elixir for the stresses we suffer every day in this hectic modern world.

Here’s a simple stretching routine to get you started. First, some tips:

• Always ease into a stretch. Use slow, controlled movements, and never bounce or push your body into position.

• Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. It takes time to safely lengthen muscle tissue.

• Remember to breathe! Concentrate on feeding oxygen to your muscles.

• Don’t overdo it. You should feel tension while you’re stretching, but not pain.

Now the routine:

1. Standing about 15 inches from a wall, place the backs of your forearms against the wall, bend one knee toward the wall and move the other foot back about a foot, then slowly lean forward. You should feel the muscles of your straight leg gently stretch. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat 2 times for each leg.

2. Using a sturdy chair or a wall for balance and support, bend your left knee slightly, then lift your right foot up toward your buttocks. Reach back with your right hand and grasp your right foot. Pull gently. Hold for 5 seconds, release, and switch to the left side. Repeat 2 times for each leg.

3. Lie flat on a mat or padded surface. Keeping your legs together, slowly raise your knees and bring them close to your chest. Reach both arms behind your legs and grip tight. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 2 more times.

4. Kneel down on a mat or padded surface. Keep your buttocks close over your heels. Start with your hands on your knees and slowly “walk” your hands forward until your arms are fully extended. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 more times.

Treat skin allergies with these natural remedies

Skin allergies are most commonly caused when something you’re allergic to, such as a certain fabric, soap, lotion or perfume, touches your skin.

While most skin allergies clear up on their own with time, the itching, burning and irritation they cause is annoying, and the scratching often leads to a secondary infection, so here are few natural remedies to help you get rid of allergic rashes and treat the related symptoms.

#1. Wash the affected area with chamomile or green tea
The chamomile herb has anti-inflammatory properties that help to prevent the release of histamine, the chemical that causes itching, swelling, and redness. On the downside, chamomile can produce its own allergic reaction, so you’ll first want to test a small amount on an isolated area such as your forearm. 

You can also opt for green tea. While it doesn’t boast the anti-histamine properties of chamomile, green tea does have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to relieve itching and reduce infections.

How to do it: Submerge a tea bag in water for about 3 minutes. Wring out excess water and place bag in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to cool. Place bag directly on affected area.

#2. Take an oatmeal bath

Oatmeal is one of the best body rash treatments due to its calming and soothing properties.

How to do it: Place a handful of rolled oats in a blender or food grinder. Add the powder in a warm (not hot) bath and soak in the solution for at least 20 minutes.

#3. Use a banana peel

The antioxidants and potassium in banana peels can help reduce inflammation and irritation associated with skin allergies.

How to do it: This one couldn’t be simpler. Just peel the banana and place the inside of the peel against your skin.

#4. Apply a mixture of cod liver oil and vitamin E
Oil from the liver of the codfish contains large amounts of Vitamins A, D and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin E has strong antioxidant properties that are effective in treating skin inflammation. When combined, these nutrients can provide relief to dryness, swelling and itchiness related to skin allergy rashes.

How to do it: Combine cod liver oil and vitamin E gel into a mixture, then rub this mixture directly on your skin rash using cotton balls.

#5. Try poppy and lime

In tropical counties, poppy seeds are often used to treat dry, itchy skin because of their high linoleic acid content. Ground to a paste with lime juice, poppy seeds are an effective remedy for the dry itch.

How to do it: Crush one tablespoon of poppy seeds, mix with one teaspoon of water and one teaspoon of lime juice and apply to affected area.

#6. Treat infected skin with tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has strong antiseptic properties that work wonders on skin rashes, infections and related swelling. Keep in mind that tea tree oil has potent medicinal qualities and may not agree with everyone’s skin. If you have very sensitive skin, be sure to spot-test before generally applying tea tree oil.

How to do it: Apply the oil directly to the affected area with a piece of natural cotton, several times a day.