Learning how to manage stress is important to your health since chronic stress has serious consequences like frequent headaches, skin breakouts, food cravings, sickness and other ailments.
Most women don’t even realize how stressed out they are!
When you think about it, stress is something that you can't actually see or feel but you definitely know it’s there.
For many women, there are so many things to do yet so little time which is a significant cause of stress. Scientific study proves that the link between stress and weight loss is real.
When the body is under stress and anxiety, it fires up the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that tells the body to store fat for energy, especially around the midsection.
So what's a stressed out woman to do?
Stress can be managed through meditation and deep breathing exercises that encourage focused relaxation to make the body less sensitive to stress.
How to Manage Stress with Deep Breathing
Stress seems to affect almost everyone these days. Just keeping up with day to day activities can seem overwhelming at times or maybe its the constant pressure at work that is the cause of your stress.
Deep breathing can help you manage stress. Breathing deeply enables the lungs to fully expand for a better exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide which releases tension and creates a calming effect throughout the mind and entire body.
When we become stressed or unable to focus, we tend to hold our breath which can reduce the flow of oxygen. This can elevate our stress levels even more. Taking slow, deep breaths can help lower stress and anxiety. When you feel a stressful situation coming on, think about how your reaction may affect others. Take a deep breath in and slowly release. Picture yourself remaining calm. Over time, it will become easier to reach a state of calmness following a stressful situation. A Harvard Medical School study showed that adults who practiced about thirty minutes of mindful activity each day, such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises were able to respond better to stress.
Anything that allows you to separate yourself from your thoughts to help you relax is the key.
How to Manage Stress with Yoga
Yoga is a great way to lower stress and calm the mind. Individuals who practice yoga three times a week report a better mood and lower anxiety.
- A study published in the Medical Science Monitorshowed that women’s cortisol levels decreased after taking a yoga class.
- Yoga encourages the use of deep breathing and focused relaxation to help make the body less sensitive to stress.
- Research at Boston University showed that regular yoga practice increases the level of a brain chemical known as GABA which has a calming effect.
- Discover more relaxation tips to help manage stress.
How to Manage Stress by Chewing Gum
1. Chew Dentyne Ice Vanilla Chill to lower stress and anxiety.
According to research conducted at both the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma, the rhythmic action of chewing gum can lower tension and stress in minutes. The spice of vanilla is also great for lowering stress.
2. Chew Spry Chewing Gum with green tea extract.
Chew Xlear Spry Green Tea Gum which is rich in the amino acid L-theanine. Studies have shown that L-theanine is effective at keeping you calm yet alert. It stimulates the production of calming alpha brain waves which can promote more restful sleep.
3. Chew Trident Vitality Vigorate to consume more vitamin C.
Chew Trident Vitality Vigorate to lower stress hormones. This gum contains vitamin C which helps lower the body's production of the stress hormone cortisol.
How to Manage Stress With Laughter
Remember to laugh!
- Like exercise, laughing lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body.
- It also increases the level of dopamine, a chemical that activates the brain's pleasure center.
- According to the Physiology Society in London, laughter releases tension and psychic energy which gives the body a way to cope when sad, upset or angry.
- Set aside a few minutes each day to watch cartoons, re-runs of The 3 Stooges or a funny YouTube video.
More Reasons to Laugh
Burn More Calories with Laughter
- Did you know that laughing for ten minutes burns about 50 calories?
- Laugh with your kids, husband, and friends or with a funny movie at least three times a day and burn about 3.5 pounds in three weeks.
- Laughter also makes us feel better, so laugh often!
More Tips on How To Manage Stress
Don't give up hope!
Your to-do list may never go away, but there are ways of coping with stress to keep it from interfering with your life.
Your to-do list may never go away, but there are ways of coping with stress to keep it from interfering with your life.
1. Make a list of what stresses you out and and try to take control.
2. Learn to say "no" when asked to do something that you have no time for.
3. Don't expect perfection in everything or demand it from others.
4. Set priorities and do those that are most important to you and your family.
Bonus Tip - How to Manage Stress
A new study from the Department of Agriculture at Texas State University found that keeping a green plant by your desk at work can increase your productivity and help you feel happier.
- This is because plants in any room have been shown to increase feelings of happiness while reducing feelings of anxiety and anger.
- Having a plant in your office has also beenshown to improve memory and increase focus.
- Scientists speculate that plants can help make us more productive by causing our minds to wander.
- This type of casual daydreaming helps balance the chemicals in the brain and even reduces mental fatigue by up to 30 percent.
- So bring in a small potted rubber plant. It requires minimal water and sun.
- Plants also help to clean and purify the air you breathe by releasing healthy oxygen.
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