1. Exercise .
Amen for endorphins. Believe me, they've helped me many days with my
perspective. If you have to work out, then go take a brisk walk and get
that blood flowing. It isn't about working out to lose weight -- it's
about being healthy and staying sane.
2. Eat the real stuff .
Crappy food (fast, processed, and loaded with sugar) doesn't help your
chemical brain and body handle stress. Living food, real food, helps
support your mind and body while it's trying to deal with the million
things coming its way. Every time I reach for the chocolate, I'm
looking to feel something from it. Don't get me wrong -- if it's just a
little here and there because I enjoy the taste of it, great. But if
I'm using it the minute I feel overwhelmed, then that's when that food
is no longer OK to eat. It doesn't make the problem go away, and then I
just feel bad about eating the food to pacify myself. Grab green food
instead. Put things in your mouth that are going to support your immune
function and keep you levelheaded.
3. Notice .
Try not to let the stress overtake you. Recognize the situations that
cause the stress and notice them coming your way. You have a better
shot at fending off the full effects of the stress when you can
anticipate it.
4. Get it off your chest . Talk to a friend or partner about the stress. Sometimes just getting it off your chest can help unload some of the burden.
5. Keep your sense of humor .
If you do have the chance to talk about it, try to see the irony and
humor in the wacky bits. I think someone is dead in the water once they
lose their sense of humor.
6. Stay grateful . In almost all of our problems are boatloads of blessings. "Oh, I don't feel like going to the gym."
Well, Amen that you have the means and the health to even is able to
wrestle with the idea of going to work out. Make a habit of saying
thank you. You will notice the sunny spots a lot more often, and not
just the gray skies and storms.
7. Ask, "What's the hurry?" Have
some fun. We're always so busy going somewhere, we miss just enjoying
the moment. If an opportunity comes your way to do something fun, take
it.
8. Take a deep breath . When you feel the
stress getting to you, take a moment. Get away, even if it's just for
an hour, to be with yourself and your thoughts. Some people like to
take a walk, meditate, lock themselves away in a beautiful bath, or go
to church. Find the peace and the silence.
9. Keep it simple .
Simplify where you can. Does Junior really need to be in 78 activities
at the age of 5? Do you have to go to every little party or gathering
you're invited to?
10. Turn off the TV . A lot
of it is bad news anyway, and it robs us of hours that we could use to
be getting other things done. Since everyone complains that they have
no time, get some by unplugging from the tube.
11. Sleep .
If you're rested, you have a better shot at handling things. Not to
mention, you may not stress out as easily if you have a chance to
recover at night.
12. Drink water . I have
said it before: Americans consume 21 percent of their calories through
liquid consumption. Hydrate with water. Help you entire system function
better just by drinking enough water. Oh, and by the way, if you don't
think that weight loss and proper hydration have a relationship, think
again. Shift the paradigm on its side -- don't think about exercise and
nutritional eating just as something you have to suffer through to get
into those jeans. Instead, think of them as armor that will protect you
in this crazy world, with all of the bazillion details you deal with
every day
Posted by Gabrielle Reece