Staying healthy in times of stress

Transitions can be stressful. Heading back to school, the mad dash to get your kids ready, and facing that overly-booked fall calendar. Honey, it’s enough to do me in.

And if you’ve had a stressful year, you really know what I mean. Grief, loss, personally, I had it all.

So how do we get through? The fall season asks a lot of us, but what if we’re already tapped out? How do we manage our health, on top of our family, our jobs, and the demands of the world?

Besides being grateful for what I DO have, first of all, here’s what I do..

• Reduce inflammation. Living with stress can lead to inflammation if it remains unchecked, and that leads to more serious conditions, and then more stress. It’s a vicious cycle, so prevent inflammation before it gets you down.
Include these anti-inflammatory foods in your diet. Salmon, kale (grab a green juice on busy days), raw almonds, cherry tomatoes, turmeric, ginger, or cinnamon are all great ways to keep a lid on it.

• Get high on fitness. Exercise is relaxing, confidence building, and an instant mood-booster. The endorphins you release during a good sweat are directly related to the parts in your brain that make you happy. To see how I make movement totally do-able, no matter what time of year, check out this sneak peek inside my book.

• Go to sleep, it’s vital for coping during high-intensity times. I have a ritual for bedtime to ensure that I doze off peacefully and happily each night. I relax by putting a couple drops of lavender oil on my feet before I get under my covers. And I often take a magnesium supplement, which calms my muscles and leaves me ready to sleep. Most of us are deficient in magnesium, so if you have anxious feelings or tension during the day, try this tip at night.

• Sip water for a calming effect, it can instantly make you feel better and calmer. The weather is cooling down but you should still have a water bottle with you at all times, and the pitcher in your kitchen. You can see all my tips for staying hydrated here.

• Socialize to fight stress? Being around your friends and staying connected to others is one of the best ways to keep stress from spiraling out of control. Relationships are one of the biggest indicators of happiness, so nurture yours. Call a friend, take your significant other on a date, plan a dinner party. Get out and get with others. It’s key to your health.

So, friend, what’s your way of relieving stress?

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