How to Beat Stress - the Healthy Way

Life seems to keep speeding up, and not only can’t you keep up, it might feel like it’s turned around and wants to mow you down! And you have barely enough energy to get out of the way. Here are a few common-sense tips to beat basic daily stress.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Stress
• A Body
• Willingness to destress
• Generally good health

1. Take your vitamins. Basics include a multivitamin which can fill in the gap where your food intake might leave off. Add your Omega-3’s, a little extra B-complex, and lots of good water, and you’ll bolster your ability to handle daily stresses.
2. You’ve heard it before - get your Eeeee’s - Exercise! Okay, the day is totally packed and the weather isn’t that great, plus did I mention that you’re really tired? Adding even bits of healthy, safe exercise will help rev your energy up and give you better stamina so you can cope with stress. Add a flight of stairs, an extra block or three to your walk, and carry something heavier around when you are shopping or strolling. Even better, find a friend and take a class like dancing, kickboxing, hiking, etc. To find out how much you are (or could be) walking on your way to work, check out the Gmaps Pedometer.
3. Plan to do something each day that rejuvenates you - something you love to do. This might include walking to a local garden spot or into the lobby of another building with an attractive guest park. Or sinking into a tub instead of dashing through the shower. Or preparing a favorite dish instead of stuffing something in the microwave. If it’s a competition between a television show and an activity, tape the show and catch up later - and do the fun thing with your friend or family.
4. If your schedule is busy (and when isn’t it?), take 5 minutes early to prioritize your activities and do the most important ones first. Figure out what you can let go, then let them go - perfectionism be darned!
5. Get enough sleep every night. In case you’ve been too tired to catch on, missing even one hour of sleep can make you touchy and lower your resistance to stress, which makes it harder to sleep - and, well, you know. Seriously, go back to Step 5 and figure how to let something(s) go so that you have the extra time you need for sleep. Do not scrimp!!!

Tips & Warnings

• Identify the types of things that cause you stress, then look for ways to handle them differently. For instance, if you find that sitting in traffic is getting harder for you, consider travel alternatives or a slight schedule change. If you are getting uptight around crowds, find alternate walking paths and know when busy events are coming up that could increase crowds. When you do get stuck in a situation, give yourself a break or change your setting so you can manage the stressor.
• Taking vitamins, adding new exercises, and reconsidering other physical health adjustments should always be considered after talking with your medical practitioner first.