Beat stress, be happy

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Feb 12th 2008 9:15AM

Categories: Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation

Stressed? Burnt out? Ready for that luxury vacation? You probably aren't alone. These dark days of late winter seem to magnify negative emotions, and the dark evenings and cold weather don't make it easy to burn off some of that stress with exercise. You can get a handle on that stress, it just might take some work. Consider some of these tips from eDiets and see if you can't make your life a little more serene:

Ask for help when you need it.
If you can control it, do so. If you can't, let it go.
Make time for yourself.
Write it down in a journal.
Take a break, close your eyes, imagine yourself somewhere peaceful, and take a few big, deep breaths of air.
Research relaxation techniques and find one that works for you.
Set free your expectations and see what happens.
Act, don't react. Take time to think about your next step.
Be kind to yourself.

My two favorite stress relievers are chewing gum and taking a nice, warm bath right before bedtime (which also usually knocks me out for a good night's sleep). What are your favorite ways to keep stress to a minimum?

Beat stress with these 7 tips

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Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

tessa 2-15-2008 @ 11:11PM

As a weight coach and personal trainer, I find the when my clients don't work out, they tend to eat worse, be more stressed and then sleep badly... a vicious cycle. Bottom line exercise, you will feel less stressed and sleep better. If you can work out earlier in the day

Here are a few tips that I give out to my clients:

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. If you can't be
perfect in your eating don't make the day a wash and start
"tomorrow".

Try to eat something you truly enjoy every day.

Try to eat tomatoes in some form..lycopene is great for all
especially men!

Get a pedometer and try to walk 10,000 steps a day.

If you don't get enough fruits and veggies take a good multi vitamin.

Try to get exercise in when you can. I have read about smartsoles on
many aol boards and they actually work, they increase calories burned
with each step and tone muscles http://www.smartsole.com

Join a support group to discuss food issues. I have found that good
old fashioned weight watchers truly is the best and not expensive.
http://www.weightwatchers.com

And the best thing I did for myself as a single woman is get a pet.
It has reduced stress for me and added to my happiness.

Try not to eat your heaviest meal too late.

Don't hold grudges!

Again all are "tries". nobody is perfect!

jackie 2-15-2008 @ 11:34PM

I am 50 now but spent 3 years in the army while I was in my 20's. Physical training was very early and all I wanted to do afterwards was sleep and/or eat. I guess everyone's body isn't the same and we all react different. I don't exercise or work anymore but I can guarantee you that I walk more than 10,000 steps per day (I make a conscious effort). Thinking of exercising just stresses me out. I believe we all need to take a serious break during our day; just enough time to focus on ourselves. Don't think about food, money, exercising, nothing, just ourselves. If your mind is on the right track, your body will follow.

steve 2-16-2008 @ 12:32PM

I find that sex before bedtime is a great way to relieve stress and makes me sleep like a log. also one can really burn up a few calories in the process. It helps if your partner likes to relieve stress in the same fashion though. You can use this type of stress relief anytime during the day and not just bedtime so if you are really stressed?

vicky 2-16-2008 @ 2:11AM

looks similar to yoga isn'it
http://www.mytailorstore.com

Eye of Newt 2-16-2008 @ 2:48AM

Be happy at what you do and you will be rich and the world will be better for it !

Andrea 2-16-2008 @ 3:24PM

My dogs. No matter how stressed I get, they are always happy. I only ever have time to talk to people in my class, and usually when I'm getting stressed, my classmates are too. Every couple of hours during a marathon 14 hour studying binge, I just sit on the floor and my dogs come over and let me know that no matter how bad I do on this test, they'll still love me. They are hilarious too, and a little laughter goes a long way.
Also I agree with Steve- sex. The first week of my first year of med school I found myself on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Midway through week two I was crying continuously- in class, in the shower, over my notes. Then I had a revelation- I'd been studying every second, and hadn't had sex with my boyfriend since before class started. I took a well-deserved study break, and everything was much clearer afterward. Now we don't go more than a day or two without, and when I start to get edgy/snippy I know it is time to take another break. If we find ourselves annoyed with each other, we just head to the bedroom.