Maybe your day began today at 6 a.m. and you know it won't end until dark. Your "to do" list is several pages long and everyone seems to want something from you. Feeling a bit frazzled? Stressed out?
Whatever you do, don’t have a meltdown or focus inward and let everything simmer until it makes you sick. I want you to address your stress and try to eliminate as much of it as possible from your life. That which can’t be eliminated, needs to be reevaluated. I love the mantra-don’t sweat the small stuff AND it is all stuff. When you are stressed quite often it is your perception of the situation that is causing the biggest issue. Remember that your body can deal with short-term stress, but we're really not set up to have stress every single day. (And this long term stress could be a reason why you're not losing weight).
Here are a few of my favorite RX's for stress.
1. Drink your black and green tea. A University College in London study had 75 volunteers drink a cup of black tea before doing something stressful. Their cortisol levels dropped an average of 47 percent. Studies show green tea can also drop your stress levels by 30 percent because of the L-theanine, an amino acid which lowers the output of your worry triggering beta waves.
2. Play with Fido. Not only is a pet a great friend, but he or she is also good for your health. Studies show that playing with your pet for 30 minutes also slows the release of cortisol. Why not run around the yard with your dog or take him or her for a long walk. It's good exercise for both of you.
3. Curse. Sorry mom, but an occasional cuss word (not in front of the kids, of course and not at work) actually drops your stress levels according to studies published in Leadership & Organization Development Journal. Don't do this in front of your boss; save it for when you're alone in your car in the garage or home or in the yard. It's perfectly acceptable to let a curse word slip. Try it right now. Don't you feel a little bit better?
4. Workout. I know you've heard it before, but half an hour of physical exercise is a great way to take your mind off your jam-packed schedule, chaotic to do lists and other daily worries while also strengthening your muscles and melting off fat. That wonderful feeling of sweating and breathing deeply when you're doing exercise is a great way to calm yourself.
5. Make sure you take some "me" time. Find 10 minutes of the day where you are "off limits" to the family. Even if you have to go into the bathroom and take a hot bath, no one can bother you. It's important for you to relax and your family will have to accept that Mommy needs a "time out."
6. Practice saying "no" at least once a day. It's empowering to say a firm no to something that's asked of you. No, you can't drive all the kids on Saturday to the movies. No, you can't do one more PTA committee. No, you can't take your Mom to the mall. Don't waiver where you're asked 100 more times to change your mind. Simply say, "I wish that was possible, but it's not. I'll have to say no."
JJ Virgin is a UCLA graduate. She has attended six different graduate and doctoral programs including biomechanics at California State University Northridge, Sports Medicine at University of Miami, doctoral level exercise physiology, nutrition and aging at USC and nutrition at University of Bridgeport. A 25-year veteran of the health and fitness industry, She has practiced holistic nutrition and functional medicine for the past 10 years. Ms. Virgin integrates her educational background into her work as an on-camera nutrition and fitness expert, writer, professional speaker and radio personality. She has made numerous network television appearances including two seasons on "Dr. Phil," "E! Modern Girl’s Guide to Life," NBC’s "iVillage Live,” ABC’s "Extreme Makeover" and network pilots. Ms. Virgin is regularly featured in magazine, website and newspaper articles
