Stress Relievers

 

We’ve all experienced stress while trying to balance our personal and professional lives. Not having enough hours in the day to manage conflicting priorities causes us to go into overdrive, leading to stress.

The best way to relieve stress is by managing stress – it’s important to your health. You can reduce stress by learning to control your responses to everyday situations. Here are some tips to help you say goodbye to stress:

At-ti-tude!
The old saying is true – attitude is everything! We invest a lot of time and energy into tackling everyday situations with uncertain outcomes. The best way to approach these situations is by creating manageable expectations, prioritizing and having a positive attitude which will make your decision-making less stressful.

Just breathe!
Does your body tense up in challenging situations? If this happens to you, take a deep breath and concentrate on a nice, long exhale. You’ll instantly feel more alert, focused and rejuvenated. Stressed shallow breathing only uses the upper portion of the lungs, so remember to breathe from the diaphragm and concentrate on exhaling.

Drink water!
Quench your thirst with water. Research has shown that we think better when hydrated.

Fuel up!
Eating healthily is important to maintaining a balanced diet. Avoid skipping meals and eating on-the-go, or while at your desk, so that you’ll digest your food better. Choose high-protein snacks which will take longer to digest and will help sustain your energy level throughout the day.

Keep moving!
Regular exercise helps the body cope with stress…so keep it moving! Go for a walk, jog, run or swim. Stretch before and after.

Sleep!
Stress and worries sometimes prevent us from getting enough shut-eye. Remember, the body needs at least 7-8 hours of sleep at night to restore itself. Our ability to handle stress is improved when we’re well-rested.