Living a fast paced and busy lifestyle can cause a lot of stress. Knowing how to manage this stress is critical for your health.
During stressful situations Cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone is released into the blood stream. Cortisol inhibits many normal functions of the body that are considered non-essential or detrimental to the fight-or-flight method, Including but not limited to; the body's natural immune responses, digestive functions, and reproductive and growth processes.
While this hormone is important when necessary, Chronic stress has been known to increase risk for anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, weight gain, concentration impairment and of course sleep problems.
Managing stress levels is key to living a healthy and happy lifestyle. When life is stressing you out and all you want to do is pull out your hair, try a couple of these tips and tricks to reduce those cortisol levels and get back to being you.
During stressful situations Cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone is released into the blood stream. Cortisol inhibits many normal functions of the body that are considered non-essential or detrimental to the fight-or-flight method, Including but not limited to; the body's natural immune responses, digestive functions, and reproductive and growth processes.
While this hormone is important when necessary, Chronic stress has been known to increase risk for anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, weight gain, concentration impairment and of course sleep problems.
Managing stress levels is key to living a healthy and happy lifestyle. When life is stressing you out and all you want to do is pull out your hair, try a couple of these tips and tricks to reduce those cortisol levels and get back to being you.
- Get up and move: Go for a walk, hit the gym, take your car for a spin, get up and get those feel-good endorphins flowing.
- Make a list: If you are feeling overwhelmed and cant' sleep, make a list of all the things you want to accomplish and set a plan for completing it.
- Breathe: take a minute to relax and calm your thoughts, go outside and just breathe deeply
- Invest in some Essential oils: My favorite is a chamomile/lavender blend
- Create a quite space: If you spend most of your time in a certain place, fill it with soft colors and live plants.
- Put the kettle on: Enjoy a cup of tea
- Organize or Clean something: Try to focus on the things you can control. Cleaning allows you to de-clutter and almost immediately provide a result.
- Get some sleep: Sleep is so important for ones health (future post to come!)
- Go outside: Go for a walk or just take a break to listen to the birds.
- And When all else fails, SCREAM.