It’s 7:30 p.m. You’re only halfway through that progress report due first thing tomorrow, and your mind is swimming in spreadsheets and invoices, blueprints and plans. You’re not sure you can finish it all – certainly not without getting those dark bags under your eyes, even though tomorrow is corporate picture day. No bueno.
Stress. We’ve all been there: the inability to think, the sensation of rising panicin your stomach and throat, the feeling that maybe you should just forget everything and move to Turkey. Instead, you eata pint of Ben & Jerry’s and just keep trucking. What if, instead, you could turn downthe dial on stressusing natural, practical and straight-up simple everyday techniques? Well, you can. Here are six of our favorite ideas.
1. Meditate!
No, it’s not the pat answer it sounds like. Meditation, far from being the next It Thing, is actually a highly supported anti-anxiety practice. In fact, a meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine strongly indicates meditationcan diminish stress, depressionand anxiety, all for the price of a few minutes of your time.
2. Get Enough Physical Activity
The stress-reducing benefits of exerciseare beyond dispute, points out the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. If you can manage even 5 minutes a day of aerobicexercise – just a simple walkaround the block – you’ll see results.
3. Avoid Sugar (Where You Can, At Least)
Well, the news is in. It’s not all in your head: sugar really does make us feel better as a quick fix. Over the long run, though, eating poorly deprives us of important nutrients that up energy and reduce stress.
Emotional eating, while it may feel good at the time, is counterproductive. You can start busting stress today by scrapping that habit or at least making healthful dietchoices a larger percentage of the time.
4. Get Your Aromatherapy On
Lavender? Bergamot? Sage? Why, yes. Aromatherapy oils are more than a nice solution to that old fish smell; they’re an easy way to calm nerves and help you relax.
5. Find a Community … and Get Lots of Hugs
We all know touchis important, critically so – especially in early development, but even as we grow to adulthood. After all, how many of us crave a hug at the end of a long day? One simple way to leverage this important element is to join a community: a religious institution, a hobby group, a book club. Even a few extra hugs at the beginning and end of your get-together can go a long way.
6. Get Your Thyroid Under Control
The thyroid, though little, has a mighty impact on our health. This hormone-producing gland is implicated in almost every bodily process, and helps to regulate metabolism, energy levels and weight fluctuations. When thyroid function is too low (called hypothyroidism), you may have a hard time losing those extra pounds, beating the 3-p.m. slump, and finding the energy you need for exercise and other activities.
Plus, low thyroid creates a vicious cycle. Studies show that when your thyroid functions improperly, you experience elevated stress, and elevated stress depresses thyroid function. You see the problem.
Luckily, Thyroid Support products can help you do something about that. If you are slightly overweightand are struggling to find energyand focus, you might find the relief you need by simply regulatingyour thyroid hormones. Feel free to leave questions in the comments or get in touch to learn more.
