Stress in your body is a reflection of the fact that you are depending and overusing the sympathetic nervous system(flight or fight) and underutilizing the parasympathetic nervous system that is responsible for rest. So what can you do to pamper your parasympathetic system every day? The answer is simple- meditation! Meditation is important to activate the wellness nerve in our body-vagus nerve.

Stress manifests as fatigue, restlessness, muscle tightness, cloudy mind, too much worrying and other psychosomatic disorders. Here are a few things you can include into your day to have a more peaceful day!

A) Body

Begin the day with a few rounds of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar). This set of asanas stimulates the vagus nerve.

B)Mind

Panchakosha (five sheathed) meditation, is a guided meditation available online for you. It relates to the five layers of our life- physical environment, physical body, thoughts, feelings and the Self or Consciousness. We take our awareness through these layers with the help of breath.

C) Breathing

You must follow up your meditation with a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing. Yoga experts say meditation releases toxins. Few rounds of deeper breathing after meditation helps you get rid of these toxins from your body.

D) Om chanting

Studies show chanting of Om invigorates the Vagus nerve. The impact of chanting is same as the results delivered by some of the clinical treatments administered to activate the vagus nerve for treating depression and anxiety, according to some studies.

E) Ayurveda

There is nothing like making some time out for a Shirodhara treatment, known to be a calm relaxation therapy so soothing you could feel the stress melting away. In Shirodhara, a treatment known in the ancient system of wellness, Ayurveda, a steady and gentle stream of lukewarm medicated herbal is poured on the scalp and forehead. Shirodhara rejuvenates the parasympathetic nervous system.