6 Simple Ways to Close the Door on Stress
By Sandy Schroeder
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a magic button that just erased stress whenever it popped up? If you think about it, many of our health problems stem from stress. Our frantic pace and 'round-the-clock lifestyle leave us wide open for heart disease, strokes, severe arthritis, and diabetes.
Research indicates stress inflates the risk of heart disease by 40 percent and increases heart attack risk by 25 percent. It also causes 10 percent of strokes and may shrink the brain.
Here are some simple ways to put stress in its place.
Let Chiropractic Ease Stress
Put chiropractic to work to get a handle on your stress. Stop in at The Joint Chiropractic clinic in your community and find out how their wellness clinic can work for you.
Your chiropractor will want to hear about your stress issues and any other concerns that you have. Starting with a focus on spinal health, your chiropractor will explain how a healthy spine can play out in improved overall health.
A gentle targeted spinal adjustment may ease aches and pains and give you a fresh start with better sleep, more energy, and a clearer head. Weekly 15-minute spinal adjustments may keep everything going while you relax and mellow out.
Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks
Fill your fridge and your plate with fruits and vegetables, lean fish and poultry. Serve nuts, fruit or hummus for snacks and add leafy greens to lunch and dinner. Fill at least half of your plate with veggies or fruit.
Stay Hydrated All Day Every Day
Researchers have found dehydration boosts the level of the stress hormone, cortisol. Keep a canister of water on your desk, and add water to each meal to stay hydrated. Also drink a glass of water for each glass of wine, beer or cocktail that you have.
Make Sleep a Priority
Create a sleep ritual that works. Establish a regular bedtime and stick to it. Turn your bedroom into a sublime sleep retreat with a comfortable mattress, pillows and covers. Use an air filter to purify the air and screen out noise. Use blackout drapes to control light and stash all electronics, including the TV outside. If you can bring yourself to create a sleep retreat you will sleep so much better.
Exercise Every Day
Reserve at least 30 minutes a day to walk, run, workout or do a yoga, Pilates or tai chi class. Keep looking until you find the physical activities that feel like fun. Dancing, tennis, boating, shooting hoops, playing soccer or volleyball may be fun ways to let go of stress.
Reach Out to Your Connections
It's much harder to stay stressed out when you go out for ice cream or off to the movies with friends. Brunch on Sunday, Saturday morning breakfasts, and coffee or brews after work will help you unload stress and stay in touch with everyone.
If these tips work to delete your stress, keep looking for more to make stress disappear.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.