Stress can have a serious impact on our health, as rates of panic disorders and stress-related mental illness continue to climb.1 Elevated stress hormones also increase inflammation, putting you at risk for serious issues including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.14
Addressing your stress can literally save your life, which is why I put together these simple, easy-to-implement strategies.
“Where do I start?” I get that question a lot. That’s why it’s so important to have a roadmap you can trust. A roadmap that breaks down your health journey into small, manageable steps. Download my Ultimate Health Roadmap and take control of your health… one step at a time. Get your FREE guide here.
Fortunately, there are some quick, natural ways to maintain your sense of calm.
My Top 6 Stress-busting Strategies:
Green tea
Green tea has been proven to boost your health in so many ways, from fighting cardiovascular disease and obesity to preventing type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.2 As if all that wasn’t enough, it also makes you feel good! Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that naturally reduces your blood pressure and anxiety levels.3 Just be sure to switch to decaf after lunch.
Exercise
Want to feel better fast? Get moving! Studies show that people who exercise at least 2-3 times a week experience significantly less depression, anger, and stress than folks who exercise less frequently or not at all.4 And you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get those mood-boosting benefits. Read this article to find out how to get a complete workout in just 10 minutes a day.
Chocolate
This one sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? When the going gets tough, if your gut instinct is to reach for chocolate, you might be on to something! The flavanols in dark chocolate enhance your brain function and lower stress hormones, making you feel more focused and calm.5 (Want more good news? Check out this post about the Top 5 Reasons to Eat Chocolate Every Day.)
Cookie bites, freezer fudge, brownies… are you drooling yet? Want to hear the best part? All of these recipes are healthy! You’ll find them and lots more in my Sweet Treats Recipe Guide. Get the sweet, decadent, guilt-free recipes here.
Lavender
When my son Grant was in the hospital, I witnessed the power of lavender firsthand. Even when he was in a deep coma, rubbing his feet with lavender essential oil reduced his blood pressure and heart rate. No surprise that a series of studies has shown lavender is a natural antidepressant that not only stabilizes your mood, but also relieves pain and can even prevent seizures and migraines.6 The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, try taking a bath with several drops of lavender essential oil in the water.
Omega-3s
You don’t have to work hard to make a case for getting plenty of Omega-3s in your diet, stressed or not. These powerful fatty acids have been proven to boost brain health, fight inflammation, and help burn fat and build muscle.9-11 Healthy Omega-3 fats also show enormous promise in treating mood and behavior disorders and healing traumatic brain injuries.*12,13 Here’s a convenient list of the top 15 foods high in Omega-3s.
LOL
Laughter really is the best medicine. Not only does a good belly laugh loosen your muscles for a long time afterward, it also causes the release of endorphins. These are feel-good chemicals that reduce stress and and can even temporarily relieve pain.7 In fact, one study found that people with a good sense of humor actually live longer!8
Cookie bites, freezer fudge, brownies… are you drooling yet? Want to hear the best part? All of these recipes are healthy! You’ll find them and lots more in my Sweet Treats Recipe Guide. Get the sweet, decadent, guilt-free recipes here.
The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
References:
1 https://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328
4https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter_Hassmen/publication/12672987_Physical_Exercise_and_Psychological_Well-Being_A_Population_Study_in_Finland/links/548199d70cf22525dcb6268d.pdf
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16794461
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24682001
8 http://www.nature.com/scientificamericanmind/journal/v27/n5/full/scientificamericanmind0916-17b.html
9 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499967/
10 http://www.kalbemed.com/Portals/6/KOMELIB/GENITO-URINARY%20SYSTEM/Obsgyn/Osfit%20DHA/495.pdf
11 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11883-004-0087-5
12 https://goo.gl/f2gnjc
13 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072818
14 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16927932
