I have been under tremendous stress.... actually under a tremendously awful schedule of work that is bringing on stress.... I am falling asleep in the bath tub instead of my bed from exhaustion! Thankfully I have not drowned in my tub.... though I can feel some maybe dreaming of that ....LOL...
Anyway, this article was sent from a friend- just sharing it with you all.
Hope you all enjoy it as much as I have and take something helpful for your life style!
"Everyone experiences stress at different times in their lives. Stress can bring on a host of issues such as anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and insomnia.
Although finding physical and emotional outlets for stress is crucial, diet can play a big role as well. During times of stress I notice different eating behaviors with my clients. There is the stressed personality that tends to overeat out of nervousness. They use food as a sense of comfort. Usually they don’t crave salads, vegetables, or something healthy. The “Feel Good” foods many times are high in sugar, fat, and carbohydrates. This is why it is not uncommon to see someone quickly gain 10 pounds when they are going through a difficult time. There is also the other extreme where a person feels too stressed to eat at all. This personality type may not have an appetite and gravitate more towards using stimulants like coffee and sugary drinks over eating normal servings of food. The high levels of stress can also rev up digestion and cause frequent bowel movements resulting in rapid weight loss.
When you are stressed, be aware of your blood sugar levels. It is important to eat several times throughout the day and not go hungry. Stress can also cause a surge in cortisol and adrenaline. Some of the best foods for regulating those stress hormones are fresh fish like tuna and salmon. Incorporate healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, as well as pistachios, almonds, and walnuts. Make sure to include green leafy vegetables since they contain important minerals like iron and magnesium. B vitamins are important during stressful times and can be found in organic eggs, oatmeal, tofu, and tempeh.
Your immune system can also become weakened and increase your body's need for certain nutrients. Eating a healthy diet will help you stay energized, focused, and well rested during times of stress. If you are not mindful and eat junk food or frequently skip meals, you are more likely to perform poorly or get sick during stressful times.
Incorporating multivitamins and nutritional supplements can be helpful in replacing our nutrient stores that are depleted during stressful times. Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and regulate cortisol levels. B vitamins are beneficial for nervousness and anxiety. Adaptogenic herbs such as rhodiola, ashwaganda, and ginseng help to regulate the body and bring it back to its normal function.
Keep up with regular exercise so your body has the opportunity to release all the unwanted energy. Showering before bed can be helpful too. It tends to wash off the stress from a long day to allow you to sleep better. Try to get in bed at a reasonable time so you give your body enough rest to recover. Most importantly, try not to give too much thought to your stress before sleeping. If there is nothing you can do about your situation, it’s best to do something that can be a good distraction like reading a book or meditating. If you wake up feeling refreshed, you may find that your stress will actually lessen the following day." Dr. Oz Garcia
"There is a tool we all have, one of such simplicity and purity, such minimalistic beauty that its power is often and easily overlooked. This tool doesn’t cost a thing, requires no complicated instruction, is available to everyone and can be accessed anytime and anywhere. It is, without a doubt, among the most effective antidotes to stress and a key component to wellbeing that we human beings possess. Let’s consider, for a moment, the power of breathing.
It sounds simplistic, doesn’t it? What’s so special about something we do every day, without thinking, completely automatically? Well, think for a minute about what it feels like when you don’t breathe. We forget to do that often—during a difficult exercise or physical exertion, during moments of stress or when we experience something scary, unpleasant or painful. It’s like our body pushes a giant pause button and everything grinds to a halt.
Not breathing properly equates to stopping or slowing down the flow of energy through our system. The body no longer receives the oxygen it needs to function properly, to eliminate toxins and mobilize the internal organs. The Chinese Daoist master Yu Wen once said ‘Energy being like water, stagnation leads to decay.’ In other words, if we stop the flow of energy and oxygen through our body, inevitably stagnation and illness ensue.
So what’s the best way to breathe to keep things moving, you ask? Let me just encourage you not to over-think this. It’s not complicated. It’s very simple, and that’s why people overlook it. I say just breathe. No fancy techniques, no right way to do it, no mistakes to make. Even the simplest mindful breathing helps get the energy flowing through your body again. If you want to explore the power of breathing further, investigate deep breathing techniques, which have been shown to help boost the immune system, reduce anxiety by recalibrating the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio in your body, induce relaxation and reduce pain—all important elements in fighting chronic illness.
Be aware of the physical sensations when you’re, in fact, not breathing—the slight tightness in your head, the tension you’re holding in your body—recognize it, and then … make an effort to breathe, mindfully and continuously. It’s that easy and that essential. Breathing is a beautiful and pure way of bringing yourself back into the moment, to not only push the play button again, but to refocus your energy. Have you been breathing while you’ve been reading this? No? How about giving it a quick try? There, doesn’t that feel better in a simple and powerful way?" Oliver Bros.
