10-second stress busters to keep you feeling mellow

The millions of thing we’ve got going on can leave us all feeling like big balls of stress – and that can wreak serious havoc on our health.

But you don’t need to turn your life inside out to beat the effects of stress.

These quick and easy natural solutions can help you stay mellow in a crazy world.

Have a cuppa
Black tea has been shown to have an effect on stress hormone levels in the body. Tea contains catechins, polyphenols, flavonoids and amino acids that affect your brain’s neurotransmitters and ultimately reduce blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Go nuts
Next time you feel a bit cracked up, forgo the junk food and snack on some nuts instead. Nuts are typically high in tryptophan and magnesium, two key nutrients that support serotonin production. And almonds are especially high in stress-busting B vitamins, zinc, vitamin E and antioxidants.

Rub your ears
According to Ayurveda, India’s 5,000-year-old ‘science of life,’ there are ‘marma’ points – like acupuncture points – in the ears that correspond to the various parts of the body.  Rub the circumference of each ear, right hand on right ear and left hand on left ear, to instantly ease tension.

Take a sniff
Aromatherapy has calming effects that can tame the tension in no time. Proven stress-reducing aromas include lavender, lemon balm, chamomile and geranium. Place a few drops of essential oils on cotton balls and have a sniff of the lovely fragrance.

Strike a pose
When we get stressed, we tend to tense up and cave our chest in. Try folding your hands as if in prayer behind your back, then pulling your shoulders back, tilting your head back and breathing deeply.