Chronic stress puts our health at risk, damaging our body’s systems and contributing to irritability, anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, and other diseases and ailments. But there are ways we can disarm the harmful effects of stress naturally and holistically.

At its root, stress is an imbalance of energy, partly conscious and partly subconscious. The energy that you spend focusing on negativity and fear may be directly proportional to your stress level. What many don't realize is that this is something we all have conscious control over.

Subconscious causes of stress often include all those little nagging messages about unfinished business in the back of your mind that pop up at inopportune moments when you're not in a position to act. Commitments you have made and not kept, people that you have yet to forgive, and looming deadlines are all potential sources of these stressful messages.

Possibly even more powerful than these messages are energetic imbalances such as Trapped Emotions – the remnants of emotional distress or bad experiences that may become stuck in the body. These can lead us to an unconscious tendency to choose certain feelings, thoughts, and expectations.

So what can you do to reduce stress and create more calm and joy in your life?

1.Be aware of what your body needs. This includes healthy food, plenty of water, rest, and exercise. Eat healthy, live whole foods. The shorter the time from tree to tasting, from ground to gourmet, the more positive energy you may receive. Challenge yourself to do some sort of physical exercise every day, no matter what it is, or for how long you do it. Stick with it.
2.Strive for a state of acceptance and understanding of others, despite their negative behavior or difficult nature. If there is someone who has hurt or wronged you in some way, and you haven't forgiven them, your stress level may be greater than it should. The higher path of the spirit is to be at peace with the universe and with all our fellow beings. None of us are perfect and we all have reasons for acting the way we do. Learn to let things go and be generous and kind.
3.Don't forget to go easy on yourself too! How many times have you chastised yourself for making a poor decision, lashing out at others, being clumsy, or running late for a meeting? Most mistakes we make likely won't affect us in the long run. In fact, by recognizing the value in our own folly, we can learn some of life's most valuable lessons!
4.Choose positive emotions. You are the pilot of your own course in life, and you can choose to make intelligent and balanced decisions. When you find yourself automatically being guided toward the emotion of anger, for example, wait a few seconds and ask yourself if it would better serve you to change course. The ability to choose more positive emotions is something all of us have, but it's like a muscle that needs regular exercise in order to serve us best. When you focus on flexing this muscle, you will learn to become more patient and your emotions can enhance your life instead of controlling it. This may also help you maintain healthy boundaries, with yourself and others.
5.Control what is around you. Stay away from chronically toxic people and situations. Stay off of negative social media. Make only the commitments you know you can keep without stressing yourself out. Respect your time, energy, and resources and learn when to say no when you're uncomfortable.
6.Take care of yourself emotionally. You may need specific things such as the emotional support of a spouse, a lunch date with a friend, or even just some time alone. Decide how busy you want to be ¬– or not be! Say “no” to trying to do too much if it interferes with your health or family time – or if it just feels like it’ll cause too much stress for you.
7.Embrace joy. As they say, “laughter is the best medicine.” Share random hugs and smiles. Think about all you have to be grateful for and share that gratitude. Keep negative energy at bay with positive thoughts and acts.
8.Slow down and love the little things. Humans have adopted the rat race as a way of life, and it need not be that way. There is nothing and no one more important than YOU. Make sure you have sufficient alone time and use it to enjoy what makes you content. A walk in the woods, smelling fresh-cut grass, watching children play, a day of reading… The possibilities are endless.
9.Eliminate clutter – physical and spiritual. Clean lines and open spaces in your living area can provide calmness and serenity. Purge yourself of emotional clutter like Trapped Emotions.
10.Identify and release Trapped Emotions: Emotional baggage from past negative and traumatic events can cause us to make wrong assumptions and react emotionally. Go to EmotionCodeGift.com to learn how it’s possible to find and release your trapped emotions. If you need assistance, you can contact a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner and schedule a session to release your trapped emotions by visiting www.discoverhealing.com/practitioner-map.
Using these techniques can help restore peace to your subconscious and correct physical imbalances too. This can lower your stress level by quickly getting clear to the underlying causes of negative emotional choices and nagging, negative thoughts.

Removing these underlying causes of stress may also help your physical body to feel and function optimally, providing you with more energy to fulfill your commitments, meet your deadlines, and create a state of acceptance and forgiveness on a daily basis.

Author's Bio: 

About the Author: Veteran holistic physician Dr. Bradley Nelson (D.C., ret) is one of the world’s foremost experts on natural methods of achieving wellness. He has trained thousands of certified practitioners worldwide to help people overcome physical and emotional discomfort by releasing their emotional baggage. His best-selling book "The Emotion Code" provides step-by-step instructions for working with the body's energy healing power. A newly revised and expanded edition of "The Emotion Code" is now available (May 2019, St. Martin's Press). For more information and a free Emotion Code Starter Kit, visit www.emotioncodegift.com.