Unfortunately, stress affects everyone! It is a natural response to how your brain and body react to stress factors or demands. But learning how to manage stress is the most important thing when it comes to our overall well-being.
We all know someone who’s undergoing a stressful situation. Perhaps you’re dealing with one right now and are looking for healthy ways to manage it.
In this article:
According to the annual Stress Report in the UK (by Statistica), money and work continued to be significant stressors in 2022. Another fascinating finding, however, was an increased tolerance for stress across most generations.
But not all stress is as bad as we all think! We can find facts that stress has been part of our evolutionary “fight or flight” response and a way to defend ourselves against different threats or dangers. How our body reacts to stress helps us feel more focused, alert, and motivated.
What is the key, then? The key is finding healthy, natural and efficient stress management methods. Because stress can take a massive toll on our minds and bodies if we leave it unchecked.
Try to Eat Regularly & Don't Skip Meals
When stressed, it’s easy to put off meals or skip them altogether. Your mood and energy levels will suffer as a result. Blood sugar levels can fall, and this could lead to increased stress hormone production. If you feel like stress is an appetite killer or booster, then try eating smaller amounts more often during the day.
Remember to also keep mealtimes pleasant and separate from work or other sources of stress. If you eat at the desk while working or pay bills while eating dinner, something’s got to give. Always take extra time to slow down and relax while you eat. This is the best technique to eat less and enjoy it more.
Try to Avoid Mindless Snacking
Comfort foods are high in calories and can also stimulate the release of certain chemicals in the brain that make us feel rewarded, but only in the short term. The worst thing is that they could also make us want to keep eating. In a vicious cycle, overeating could lead to weight gain, which will definitely increase psychological stress. All sugary treats might also give you a temporary feel-good moment but may be followed by a crash.
If you feel like you need to eat, reach for healthy, nutritious, and crunchy foods. This can help you relieve stress by putting tight jaw muscles to work. The best snack alternative includes almonds, soy nuts or baby carrots.
Increase Your Physical Activity
You probably heard that before, but I will repeat it! Exercise is a great stress reliever. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, naturally making us feel good. Most people will agree that gentler, low-intensity workouts such as Pilates, Yoga, or Walking are the best remedy for stress. Others, like me, prefer high-intensity workouts such as Spinning, Running, Boxing or HIIT.
The good thing about most of the above exercises is that you can try them at home. Check the Herbalife Nutrition Fitness Portal for free training routines!
Sleep more
If we don’t sleep enough, our bodies release much more Cortisol than usual. As you probably know, Cortisol is a stress hormone that, in excess, could make us look tired and stressed out. Good sleep allows our body to go into repair mode and increases the cells renewing speed. This is a vital process for the entire body, and a good night’s rest can help us relieve psychological stress.
Good nutrition, exercise, and the right amount of sleep can promote better health. While this combination won’t take the stressful situations away, it can definitely help us!
Conclusion: Healthy Eating can help us Managing Stress
The Immune Systems require adequate amounts of sleep, exercise and good nutrition. Unfortunately, long-term stress can lead to fatigue and negatively impact our moods. The biggest problem is that it is difficult to make healthy lifestyle choices when we are not in the right mood.
So many people confirmed they overeat during times of stress and turn to foods that are quick and comforting but often loaded with sugar, salt and fat. Suppose you’re overusing caffeine or having caffeine in the evening to boost your mood and energy. In that case, that can backfire by disrupting your sleep. Being mindful of what you eat during stressful circumstances can help you manage stress levels and change how you respond to them.
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