Friday, October 10, 2008

Feeling Stressed?

Hello Readers!
Before I start on today’s topic, I’d like to let you know that I made comments answering everyone’s questions from my last blog entry. Click ‘comments’ to see my responses. Great questions and keep them coming!

Today’s topic is all about how to deal with stress. Stress can come from a variety of sources, especially with everyone’s busy lifestyles. I’m sure most of us have been stressed before and have had symptoms such as, headaches, an upset stomach, chest pain, and problems sleeping. When stress goes untreated for a prolonged period of time, the body’s natural defense system gets worn down and a variety of symptoms can occur. Some of these symptoms include: frequent headaches, clenched jaw, indigestion or acid reflux symptoms, increase in or loss of appetite, racing heart, cold and sweaty palms, exhaustion, trembling/shaking, and weight gain or loss.

None of the above symptoms are desirable, so let me give you some tips on how to keep stress levels under control. First, exercise regularly! Your body is better able to deal with stress when you are physically fit. Now this doesn’t mean you have to go out and run a marathon. But exercising for 30 minutes/day will help reduce your stress levels. This exercise can be anything from walking to running or even biking. Not only does exercise make you feel great, because of the endorphins being released into your blood stream, but it also improves the blood flow to your brain.

The next way to control stress is healthy eating. Sometimes it’s easier and quicker to grab the unhealthy foods, such as, pizza or fast food, but trust me, when you fill your body with fruits and vegetables, you will most definitely feel great! Shoot for a total of 5 fruits and/or vegetables per day. A combination of the two is best. This may seem like a lot, but if you eat an apple for breakfast, carrots as a morning snack, one vegetable for lunch, and one vegetable for dinner, then you’re almost set for the day.

The above two ways to control stress are very important. Other ways to help deal with stress include: keeping a positive attitude, learning and practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga, learning to manage your time effectively, saying no to requests that could create excessive stress in your life, making time for hobbies and interests, getting enough rest and sleep, and spending time with loved ones.

I hope the above suggestions help you deal with the stress of everyday life. Enjoy your day and I look forward to your comments!

Fact of the day: 15 minutes of sun exposure twice/week gives you sufficient vitamin D synthesis for optimal bone health.

Becky <3

3 comments:

Carleen said...

Dear Becky,

This is exactly the type of information that I needed. I am already feeling less stressed knowing how to cope.

Thank you so much,

Carleen

Anonymous said...

Becky,
Love your blog and you are so right with the grabbing a quick bite to eat. That does seem easier, any suggestions to maybe get stuff at Chipotle? Like what to put in the burrito? Oh and I am sending this info to all my classmates, they need it!

Becky said...

Browneyegirl1004,

Thanks for your comment. When eating a burrito, you should try and limit the amount of cheese and sour cream added. These are the unhealthy items of a burrito. Also, if at all possible, it would be ideal to skip the burrito shell, which contains 290 calories.

A healthier option to eat at Chipotle would be to have 2 tacos. These tacos would have 1/2 the caloires of the burrito.

I hope this information helps!

Becky