The top three causes of stress are pressure from
work, financial problems, health problems. Stress occurs when you are faced
with mental or emotional strains that often leads to physical and mental
symptoms. Unfortunately, our culture accepts stress as a normal way of life. It
is my mission to let everyone know, life doesn't have to be that way!
Take action!
Stress affects us because we let it. Now it is
time to take action and start to live a healthier lifestyle. We all handle
stress differently some keep everything bottled up inside and silently suffer
the impacts of depression. Others tense up so much they develop knots in their
neck and back and live with the pain. There are several ways you can manage your
stress through physical activity, diet and positive distractions.
1. Make a Playlist
Research shows that listening to soothing music
can lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. Music provides a distraction and
invites calming emotions. It is a great aid to help induce a meditating
state by preventing your mind from wandering. Start incorporating music
into your busy life by playing CD's in the car, stream soft classical music from
Pandora while at work or play your favorite iTunes music while you soak in the
bathtub.
2. Reduce Caffeine & Sugar
The temporary adrenaline rush caffeine and sugar
provide often end with a crash in both your mood and energy. Reducing the
amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, will
make you feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better. Getting a full nights sleep
is the best way to fuel your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired
increases stress because it often impairs our judgement.
3. Be Thankful
Keep a journal of gratitude. Journaling
reduces stress due to its meditative and reflective effects. Making a
daily list of what we are thankful for can really put your life, worries,
stresses into perspective. You don’t need to write a novel, just jot down
a few of your daily events, your feelings, and what you are thankful for.
Documenting life events and feelings can also provide a way for you to
reflect on events and gain a new perspective while you are in a calmer state of
mind. Reading through journals of your past months and years can show you how
much you’ve grown as an individual.
4. Go Outside
Sometimes simply walking through nature and
smelling the fresh air can help put your mind at ease and give your brain a
break. Whether it’s walking, running, or sitting on a blanket in the
grass; studies show that time outdoors can:
- Spur Creativity
- Increase Concentration Levels
- Increases Vitamin D Levels
Vitamin D improves seasonal depression, anxiety,
boosts your immunity, is critical to bone health, and heart health. The
healthier your bodies, the less likely you will experience negative stress.
5. Get a Massage
Massage is more than an occasional luxury.
Getting a massage on a monthly basis:
- Alleviate physical strain and pain
- Improves your mood
- Increases circulation
- Reduces stress related pain such as headaches and muscle tension
Once your stress level is reduced, you can
reclaim the energy you once enjoyed, and experience a refreshed body and mind.
Don’t Worry… Stress Can Be Good!
Stress is your body's reaction to harmful
situations whether real or imagined. When you feel threatened, your body
produces a chemical reaction that allows you react and protect yourself.
Not all stress is bad. In small doses,
stress can help you accomplish tasks and protect you from injury. For example,
stress is what makes you to slam on the brakes to avoid getting into a car
accident. That's a good thing!
The key is knowing what kind of stress you are
feeling.
- Is your stress good or bad?
- Is it negatively affecting your everyday life and activities?
- Defining your stress helps you take action on how to get rid of it.
This holiday season give the gift of massage! Go online or call me to order your gift certificate.
