Resolve To Manage Stress

It’s February 2015, you may have started the year with New Year’s resolutions, and now despite your best intentions your resolve to make a change is weakening! What is it about a new year that makes us want to change how we do things? Did you know that only 8% of people who make resolutions actually stick to the plan!

To some, managing Stress needs to be priority all year!

Stress is on the top of the list for workplace illnesses. Stress takes over our lives for many reasons not just from having busy agendas. It can manifest itself from health issues, finances or relationship issues just to name a few.

Keeping stress in check will help other challenging life issues easier to manage. Exercise and healthy eating are on the top of the list to help keep Stress in control.

Exercise produces endorphins (the “feel good” hormones), that helps promote restful sleep, gives the body more energy and helps speed up metabolism (think weight loss!). Sweating is also a good way to cleanse the body. Exercise does not have to be strenuous to be effective. Go for a walk.During inclement weather – walk at an indoor mall.

It goes without saying that Healthy Eating is important for many reasons.

Processed, refined foods are low in nutrients, have empty calories and zap your energy. Refined foods also contribute to mood swings, depression and a lack of concentration. Focus more on complex carbs like whole grain breads, brown rice, veggies, fruit and stay hydrated with 6-8 glasses of water daily.

Get your sunshine vitamin (Vitamin D) however way you can, it is vital to so many body functions! It also releases neurotransmitters in the brain that affects our moods. Get as much natural light as possible or supplement with liquid Vitamin D.

Increase Vitamin C – either supplemental or from citrus fruits, berries. This vitamin is depleted during times of stress and more so if you are a smoker!

Take time every day to decompress – even for 20 minutes. Go for a walk outside, enjoy the nature around you, read a book, have a bath or meditate. Do what feeds your soul!

If you enjoy aromatherapy – lavender oil is a wonderful fragrance that helps to calm the senses. Dab it onto the skin, use on linens or in a bath.

Try the best you can to address the issues that cause you stress in the first place. Come up with a plan that targets the areas that are most troubling.

Lastly, stay positive!! Its hard to do when you are overwhelmed by daily stresses, just remember that life is a series of ebbs and flows and in the words of my late Aunt “this too shall pass”!