Increased amounts of stress affects your daily mood leading to anxiety and irritability, but over time chronic stress can lead to more serious conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is also associated with increased amounts of belly fat – that dangerous, unhealthy abdominal fat.
Here are 5 practices to incorporate into your daily life to help fight the negative impacts of stress.
1) Look at your diet – Reach for stress busting foods to help reduce anxiety, blood pressure and stabilize blood sugar levels, all of which increase when the body registers stress. Foods such as spinach, fatty fish (tuna and salmon), avocado, and nuts such as almonds or pistachios contain important vitamins and nutrients that combat the physical and mental effects of stress.
2) Exercise – The best stress buster there is – hands down! Exercise increases endorphins, those chemicals that make you happy. Shoot for 30 minutes a day on most days for a more positive mental attitude.
3) Make time for quiet time – Take a few minutes each day to relax the mind, body and spirit. Simply making the time to take a few deep breaths and clearing your mind can do wonders for your response to daily stressors.
4) Supplement with Vitamins and Minerals – Vitamin supplements such as B-12, magnesium and potassium can help to reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure.
5) Enjoy a cup of tea – Studies show that drinking green or black tea throughout the day can help you recover from stressful events more quickly, and to bring the stress hormone level back to normal faster. FYI – coffee does not have the same effect.
Feeling fatigued, stressed out, and suffering from lack of energy? Schedule a comprehensive health evaluation with Cenegenics Carolinas today. Register or call (843) 577-8484 for more information.
Tags: diet, Exercise, Lifestyle, longevity, stress management