You don't have to live with stress! Our lives these days are jam-packed with it — and that can take a toll on your health and your weight. Stress can lead to emotional eating when you're not hungry or skipping your exercise routine, and it can also contribute to a variety of health problems like high blood pressure, headaches, ulcers, and a weakened immune system. Say good-bye to stress with my top tension tamers — they’re simple ways to ease tension, calm your nerves, and take back control of your life.
- Lather up! When you're stressed out, a soothing shower or bath also can be just the mood booster you need. It will relax your muscles, which also sets you up for a good night's rest. And the time spent lathering up can act as an effective buffer between the whirl of your everyday life and your bed — a place where all that anxiety doesn't belong!
- Burn it off! On stressful days you may want to skip your workout altogether, but hitting the pavement will actually help reduce stress. Exercise causes the body to release endorphins — mood-boosting chemicals — which help reduce your stress level. Go for a brisk walk or take a bike ride to let off some steam.
- Take a trip down memory lane. While we can’t always escape our responsibilities and long to-do lists, just visiting the memory of happy times with the people you love can help boost your mood and ward off stress. Post photos of good times with family and friends where you can see them often — on your refrigerator, in frames on your desk, and on the visor in your car. Seeing the pictures will make rush hour traffic a little more bearable!
- Turn off the gadgets. I know it’s hard in a world where we are constantly turned “on.” But to keep stress under control, we need to unplug once in awhile. Turn off your phone, computer, and television, and take 15 minutes to connect with yourself. Take a bath, meditate, or read a book.
- Soak up some sunlight. Get outdoors! Sunlight stimulates brain chemicals that boost mood and will help melt away stress. Try eating your lunch outside or take a walk around the block to soak up some sun — and leave your stress in the dust!
- Plan a girl’s night out. When was the last time you had some fun? If you are constantly battling stress, chances are not recently. Plan a night out with the girls — dancing, bowling, a trip to the movies — whatever you and your girlfriends love to do together! Laughing and enjoying yourself is one of the best stress busters.
- Use scented lotion. When moisturizing your skin, opt for lotions scented with vanilla or lavender. These scents have a calming effect on our bodies when we smell them, which will help keep you relaxed — and less likely to hold onto stress.
- Volunteer. You may think adding one more responsibility to your plate will only increase stress levels, but helping others causes the release of feel-good hormones in our bodies, which boost mood and ward off stress. Pick a cause you feel passionate about and volunteer once a month.
- Buy yourself flowers. Having flowers around is an instant pick-me-up. Research has proved that they boost your mood — perhaps it’s their beautiful colors or lovely smell. Treat yourself to a bouquet of your favorite flowers and put them on your desk or around your home.
- Sleep. When you are tired and your body is run down, you are much more susceptible to stress. Make an extra effort to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep; it will leave you feeling energized and better able to handle stressors you encounter throughout the day.
Next time you’re feeling stressed, give one of these tension tamers a try. I guarantee you’ll ease your worry and feel calm, collected, and ready to face your day!
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