Nearly all of us suffer from stress at some level. Unfortunately, most of us unknowingly create our own stress. We live a fast paced and competitive lifestyle, and from that, we suffer the stressful consequences.
What can you let go to simplify your life? Slow down and step back into observer mode. Look at your own patterns — you can’t change them until you recognize them. If you think you can’t change the direction of your life, then simply adjust the path.
We all want everything for our children and ourselves. But what price are we willing to pay? During the process of gaining material possessions, we may be missing out on the true pleasures and satisfaction our lives naturally generate. Time to play with the kids, barbeque with friends, lie on a beach, or read a good book all are simple pleasures. They are less stressful, and, best of all, free.
It’s our everyday habits that become unhealthy and create stress. Because our need to get ahead most likely creates a busier schedule for us, we may eat poorly, not sleep enough, smoke or drink too much, or not exercise. Living this unhealthy lifestyle we not only create our own stress, but we might be prolonging it.
Changing your lifestyle will require changes in your daily habits. Most stress is initially triggered or exaggerated by common everyday occurrences. Make an attempt to satisfy your emotional and physical needs rather than prioritizing your monetary needs.
Look at your daily habits. Do you overwork yourself, eat on the run, or stay up late at night? We all have some unhealthy daily habits. Eliminating as many as possible and replacing them with better choices can reduce our stress levels. Here are some basic guidelines to healthier daily living.
1. Eat at least one hot balanced meal a day.
2. Get seven or eight hours of sleep every night.
3. Turn off the news on television.
4. Exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice weekly.
5. Limit yourself to less than half a pack of cigarettes a day, or better yet, quit all together.
6. Drink fewer than five alcoholic beverages a week.
7. Maintain the appropriate weight for your height.
8. Keep your spending habits in balance with your income.
9. Join a church or social group.
10. Keep your body in good health (including eyes, ears, and teeth).
11. Keep the lines of communication open with your spouse and family (chores, money, etc.).
12. Organize your time. Make daily lists of things to do.
13. Limit your caffeine beverages to less than three a day.
14. Take some quiet time for yourself every day.
15. Prioritize and try to see the big picture.
16. Learn and practice refueling rituals.
17. Do something fun at least once a week.
“Most of the time, I don’t have much fun. The rest of the time, I have no fun at all.”
——Woody Allen, actor
What would it take to find the time to do more of the things you enjoy? What would you have to change? When you’re doing something you enjoy, what is it that makes you stop? If you can answer that last question, you might be able to change whatever it is so you have more time to do what you love. Everything is achievable depending on what you are willing to give up.
Carol Denbow is a three-time award winning author. Her third book, Stress Relief for the Working Stiff, How to Reverse the Embalming Effect is considered by experts to be the most comprehensive and useful stress relief book available today. Visit Carol’s website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com/stress-books.html to meet “Frank” the lovable “stressed out” character who represents all of us working stiffs!
Showing posts with label stress books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress books. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Useful Tips to Eat, Drink, and Be Stress Free
Healthy food and beverages help keep our entire system in balance. When our body is balanced, we are less stressed.
*Overeating reduces energy levels. Eat smaller portions of food more times per day rather than indulging a lot of food until you feel stuffed.
*Make fruits and vegetables part of your snack food instead of chips or cookies. Fresh fruit is a good source of energy, and apples and bananas are considered brain foods. Oranges or natural orange juice are full of necessary vitamins needed to boost your immune system.
*Sugary foods may give you a quick burst of energy, but they can also increase irritability or fatigue. It is also possible that too many sweets can induce diabetes in susceptible people, not to mention an increase in fat cells, potentially causing obesity.
*Studies have shown an occasional feast of an all-carbohydrate meal, including foods such as pasta, whole-grain breads, rice, oatmeal, and even popcorn, may help release a brain chemical called “serotonin,” which can induce a sense of calm.
*Vitamin B is needed for your body to produce serotonin. Include foods in your diet rich in B vitamins, most importantly B6 and B12. Your best sources for Vitamin B6 are potatoes, bananas, and beans, while fish, chicken, turkey, and dairy foods are your best bet for Vitamin B12.
*Dairy products such as milk and yogurt may help increase memory function in stressful situations. It is also important to drink at least four eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Water cleanses the body throughout.
*Alcoholic beverages won’t generally harm you in moderation. Many Europeans believe that wine is healthy. In fact, at times, wine is part of the meal, even for children. Most social drinkers say that an alcoholic beverage relaxes them and decreases stress. But alcohol in excess (two drinks a day or more) can go beyond relaxation and cause depression, anxiousness, and clouded thinking. It can also lead to alcoholism and other life-threatening illnesses.
Monitoring your food and beverage intake may reduce the symptoms of stress, but not the stress issue itself. Take action to resolve the problems that initially caused you the stress.
After surviving a stress-related and life-threatening auto-immune disorder, author Carol Denbow realized the need for public knowledge on the importance of understanding and relieving stress was great, thus setting the path for her third book, “Stress Relief for the Working Stiff, How to Reverse the Embalming Effect.” Meet “Frank,” the “star” of this book at Carol’s website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com/stress-books.html
*Overeating reduces energy levels. Eat smaller portions of food more times per day rather than indulging a lot of food until you feel stuffed.
*Make fruits and vegetables part of your snack food instead of chips or cookies. Fresh fruit is a good source of energy, and apples and bananas are considered brain foods. Oranges or natural orange juice are full of necessary vitamins needed to boost your immune system.
*Sugary foods may give you a quick burst of energy, but they can also increase irritability or fatigue. It is also possible that too many sweets can induce diabetes in susceptible people, not to mention an increase in fat cells, potentially causing obesity.
*Studies have shown an occasional feast of an all-carbohydrate meal, including foods such as pasta, whole-grain breads, rice, oatmeal, and even popcorn, may help release a brain chemical called “serotonin,” which can induce a sense of calm.
*Vitamin B is needed for your body to produce serotonin. Include foods in your diet rich in B vitamins, most importantly B6 and B12. Your best sources for Vitamin B6 are potatoes, bananas, and beans, while fish, chicken, turkey, and dairy foods are your best bet for Vitamin B12.
*Dairy products such as milk and yogurt may help increase memory function in stressful situations. It is also important to drink at least four eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Water cleanses the body throughout.
*Alcoholic beverages won’t generally harm you in moderation. Many Europeans believe that wine is healthy. In fact, at times, wine is part of the meal, even for children. Most social drinkers say that an alcoholic beverage relaxes them and decreases stress. But alcohol in excess (two drinks a day or more) can go beyond relaxation and cause depression, anxiousness, and clouded thinking. It can also lead to alcoholism and other life-threatening illnesses.
Monitoring your food and beverage intake may reduce the symptoms of stress, but not the stress issue itself. Take action to resolve the problems that initially caused you the stress.
After surviving a stress-related and life-threatening auto-immune disorder, author Carol Denbow realized the need for public knowledge on the importance of understanding and relieving stress was great, thus setting the path for her third book, “Stress Relief for the Working Stiff, How to Reverse the Embalming Effect.” Meet “Frank,” the “star” of this book at Carol’s website at http://www.BooksByDenbow.Weebly.com/stress-books.html
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