It is no secret that stress plagues our country and contributes to some of the leading health issues for both men and women. There are, however, simple and quick ways to combat stress and remain your most healthy you! Jennifer Schonborn, a Holistic Nutrition Counselor and friend of ours, gives us a guide to 5-Minute Stress Busters:

Try a “one-minute mediation.”

Close your eyes. For 30 seconds, inhale and exhale quickly. forcefully, and audibly. Each inhale/exhale cycle should last about 1 second total. After doing that for 30 seconds, for the next 30 seconds keep your eyes closed and breath normally. Then open your eyes. How do you feel?

 

Sit on your hands or rub them vigorously.

Our hands get colder when we’re stressed, and warming them up helps lower stress.

 

Try acupressure.

Find the spot on the top of your bare foot where the bones of your first and second toes meet. Gently press this area 10 times.

 

Say no.

If you’re already feeling stressed, don’t be afraid to say no if someone asks you to do something you can’t handle.

 

Turn off the news.

It’s easy to feel like part of the chaos we’re watching on TV or on the computer. Research has shown that watching the news can affect mood and aggravate sadness and depression.

 

Laugh.

Laughing dissolves tension and can feel like a real release, even in the most stressful situations.

 

Put on some upbeat music.

And if you’re in a place where you can get away with it, dance!

 

Smile at other people.

Our moods are contagious – if you come across as happy and pleasant, chances are people will be pleasant back to you.

 

Have half a teaspoon of honey.

Doing this will quickly help stimulate serotonin in the brain, leading to a calmer, happier feeling.

 

Realize that worrying doesn’t make things better.

So stop worrying.

 

At the end of the day, take five minutes to write down the things you appreciate about that day.

Calling up positive emotions will help push away negativity and stress.

 

Make a conscious choice not to become angry or upset.

You may not be able to control everything happening around you, but you do have control over your response to any given situation. Take a few deep breaths. Then think about what can be done to resolve the situation, rather than focusing on how angry you are about it.

 

Do one simple thing that you’ve been putting off.

Whether it’s returning a phone call, paying a bill, or making a dentist appointment, getting this thing off your mind will help you de-stress.

 

Vent to a friend for five minutes.

Or write down your thoughts in a journal.

 

Have a cup of warm milk.

If you’re feeling anxious before bed and fear you won’t be able to sleep, have a cup of warm milk. It contains natural opiates called casomorphins.

 

Go outside

 

 

Thanks for the great tips Jennifer!

Be sure to visit www.jenniferschonborn.com to contact Jennifer if you have any questions about relieving stress or overall health practices. We can’t say enough good things about her!