Are you stressed out?

Stress is unavoidable, BUT it can be managed in several, simple ways. You can do them almost anywhere at any time and I have done them myself so I know they work (and if they don’t there is always chocolate).

1. Get your shine on!

Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight which helps to elevate your mood, so you need at least 10 minutes of sunshine to brighten your day! It can be hard to get enough sun during parts of the year in the Pacific NW, so when the cloud cover is heavy, use a good quality vitamin D supplement instead. We carry Liquid Sunshine drops in our office!

2. As Woody would say: “Reach for the Sky”… (Stretch)

Gentle stretching helps the brain control breathing and releases tightness in the muscles. When you sit too long, it causes your muscles to tighten and adds stress to your upper body, making it feel as the weight of the world is on your shoulders. If that doesn’t stress you out, long periods of sitting compresses the pelvis and abdomen, making breathing very shallow. Shallow breaths lead to the build-up of carbon dioxide, causing anxiety and stress.

So if you have been sitting for a while just stand up! Stretch to the left… then the right… reach up… now try to touch your toes. Now, isn’t that better?

3. Let it Go, Let it Go, can’t hold it back anymore… just cry

Crying releases stress, so go rent a sad movie and let those emotions flow out of you. Just make sure you’re in the proper place…or it will get awkward real quick.

4. Look for the bear necessities and… Hibernate

Sometimes all you really need is get some extra rest. So take the time to get away by yourself to rest. You may miss out on a night on the town or have to deal with an extra messy house, but your body and brain need sleep to recharge, and when it doesn’t get that opportunity, your adrenal glands send out hormones that put your body in overdrive.

5. It ain’t easy being green… eat healthier!

Your body doesn’t differentiate between types of stressors. Therefore, a diet high in refined carbs and sugars can produce just as many stress hormones, if not more, than a challenging day at the office. Give your body one less stress to combat. Nourish it with good doses of protein and plenty of leafy green vegetables and other complex carbs.

6. Laugh Out Loud (L.O.L.)

We know crying is good for releasing stress hormones – and laughing is equally beneficial. So go ahead and hang out with your funny friends or rent a comedy and your stress will become a laughing matter.

Ready for a massage or chiropractic adjustment? Give us a call today.