According to BrainMD, there are six things you can do to reduce stress:
S – Social Connection
T – Therapy/Meditation
R – Relaxation Techniques
E – Exercise
S – Sleep
S – Supplement
Social Connection – Our brains release Oxytocin (the “bonding” hormone) when we connect with others. This hormone has been found to counteract the negative effects of stress. This is why it is so important to join the Fitness with Jazz online community! <3
Therapy/Meditation – Many of us live in a world where it used to be (or still is) frowned upon to ask for help, especially if you grew up in the Midwest or small town where everyone knew everybody. It was looked at as a sign of weakness. It meant that something must be wrong with you. It meant that your parents must not have been able to do their job if their child needed help. It is of no surprise, then, that suicide rates continue to increase in many of these areas. Going to therapy DOES NOT make you weak. It makes you STRONG,because it means you have enough courage to ask for help. Therapists can help you let go of past traumas, or teach you ways to combat everyday stresses you have going on in life. Meditation is also a powerful tool to help you let go of stress by focusing on the present moment here and now.
Relaxation Techniques – Techniques, such as deep breathing, can help you gain control of current stresses going on in your life that may be ruining your health and happiness.
Exercise – When we exercise, our brain releases endorphins which are the “feel good” hormones and releases less of the stress hormone cortisol. Our bodies also begin to adapt to stress over time with consistent exercise.
Sleep – when we don’t get 7-9 hours of sleep a night, the blood flow to the brain decreases causing us to make poor decisions. Our metabolism also begins to slow down. We tend to eat more during the day, make poorer decisions at home or at work, and have very little energy. Not to mention it is hard for others to be around us because we are most likely cranky or moody!
Supplement – Drink spearmint or chamomile tea before bed. Use calming essential oils such as sage, bergamot, or ylang-ylang. Or take a hot bubble bath with lavender aromas.
What are ways you relieve stress?
xoxo,
Trainer Jazz
