Are You SAD?

Stress… we all deal with it in some form or fashion. At it’s best it can make us tired, grumpy, and feeling as if we’ve “had it up to here.”
At it’s worst, it can cause lack of motivation, life-altering anxiety and nervousness, and serious sadness and depression. The best way to banish stress is to take proactive measures.
Here are a few things you can do to decrease the the stress in your life, and restore inner peace and wellbeing.

Play!
Too often we get caught up with work and obligations, and forget to do the things that truly bring us joy. Schedule one thing you truly enjoy doing at least two times per week.

• Laugh.
Research has shown that laughter has immense stress relieving benefits. Read a funny book, watch a comedian on television, or hang out with some funny friends.

Embrace silence.
Most of us are unaware of the constant noise in our lives, which can be stressful. Allocate 30 minutes per day as noise-free. This may sound difficult, but it’s as easy as turning off the television or radio while you get ready for the day.

Meditate.
When you practice mediation your heart rate and breathing slow down, your blood pressure normalizes, and you produce less of the stress hormone cortisol. There are several different kinds of meditation, and many books and tapes available to help guide you through this process.

Exercise.
When we exercise our bodies, we strengthen the stress-fighting systems. Make a point of exercising every day, for at least 30 minutes.

Eat a balanced diet.
You can help your body avoid increased stress by eating certain foods. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, and be sure to eat a good balance of grains, fruits and vegetables, protein, and dairy.

• Get your regular massage therapy.
Massage helps to increase circulation and rid your body of toxins. Both of these are very important when it comes to fighting stress!