Do you ever feel like stress is “all in your head?” Like, you feel that everything around you appears fine but for some reason you just feel overwhelmed and tense?
Personally, I hate that feeling.
Did you know that your physical body takes a major hit when your are under chronic stress?Affecting your brain, heart, hormones, reproductive and digestive systems, stress also takes a huge toll on the cells, accelerating the aging process. If that wasn’t enough, it also affects the sleeping cycle, how you eat, think, your ability to focus and also contributes to weight loss resistance. Moral of the story? It is time to DE-stress!
Try my best tricks for easy, DIY ways to put your body AND mind at ease:
- Rest: Get plenty of quality sleep at night and avoid use of screens before bed.
- Nutrition: A well-fed body is equipped to handle stress much more effectively! Aim for plenty of healthy fats, lean proteins (grass-fed meats, nuts, fish, legumes) and plenty of fresh produce. Also, be sure to avoid gluten and sugar when possible- these foods contribute to inflammation (which causes stress).
- Mindfulness: Slowing down and observing your thoughts and emotions actually stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (AKA your “rest and digest” response!). Mediatation, deep breathing, etc.
- Exercise: Stress-resilience depends on physical movement! It lowers cortisol, releases “happy” mood boosters (serotonin and endorphins) and improves a host of bodily functions.
- Consume Adaptogens! These are plants that produce special substances originally intended to help them adapt to and overcome stressors in their own environments and are found to have properties that also extend benefits to humans. I find them useful for modulating the effects of stress and for promoting mental clarity, energy and focus! Click here if you’d like to hear more- I found a brand of them I love and use daily.
- Positive Thinking: Compassion, love, focusing on the good all aid in helping one stay mindful. They say that comparison is the thief of joy… stay in your own lane and remember that you were given your life to live as you and not someone else!
Stress is an inevitable part of life friends- but how we view it and handle it is everything!
