Don't Let Stress Tap You Out
By Donna Stark
We are only halfway through the year, but for some people I know, they’ve already hit a full year’s worth of stress. And on top of that, they are now facing a calendar with an overly-booked fall schedule. School, activities, holidays … when will they get their break? How can anyone manage their family life, their health, their work, those rainy day emergencies, and all of the other demands that the world places on them when they are already feeling drained and completely tapped out?
Stress-relieving Strategies
Our lives are busy, our roads are crowded, and yes, even our kids misbehave every now and then. Stress can present itself in so many different ways throughout our day, but the end result is usually the same … mood changes, health issues, relationship troubles, breakdowns. It has even been called the silent killer, but don’t let that scare you! Here are a couple of strategies you can use to reduce some of your stress and to improve your overall health.
- Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet - Living with chronic stress can lead to higher levels of inflammation and if left unresolved, can lead to serious health issues. So fight back and reduce that risk by adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet such as salmon, kale, berries, turmeric, tomatoes, and green tea.
- Exercise - Exercise is an effective way to reduce the physical and mental stress in your life. It helps by relieving tension and relaxing the body’s muscles, and it releases chemicals in the brain that create feelings of happiness and help the body manage it better.
- Go to sleep - Sleep is vital for your body to be able to cope during those stressful moments in your life, so make it a top priority. Establish a bedtime routine, create an ideal sleeping environment, take supplements, lock your door. Do whatever you need to get the recommended hours in.
- Ask for help - If adding one more thing to your list will throw you over the edge, then find some relief by asking for help. Delegate responsibilities at work and home, ask a neighbor to pick up your child from school, grab the remote from your significant other’s hand and send them to the store. You know where you can share responsibilities with those around you, so set some new changes in motion and give yourself a break.
- Hang out - Spending time with your loved ones and staying connected to friends is one of the best ways to de-stress and relax. Healthy relationships are critical to your overall happiness, so make sure you are consistently feeding and nurturing the ones you have.
Don’t Tap Out
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, consuming wholesome nutrition, and asking for assistance, you can reduce the levels of stress in your life and improve your overall health and wellness. So give yourself a break and tap back into your life!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Acworth, Ga.