Stress Reduction Community Blogs

We know that when we are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system is activated in a “flight-or-flight” response. But what happens when this response is activated day after day, even when there is no imminent danger? This is called chronic stress, the type that is linked to heart disease, impaired immune system, and even cancer. Here are a few easy (and even fun!) things you can do this week to make yourself more resilient to stress.

Laugh more!
Laughter is seriously the best medicine. If you find yourself taking everything – or yourself – too seriously, think about something that made you laugh recently. Rent a funny movie to watch with your friends of family and surround yourself with humorous people. Watch funny YouTube videos on your lunch break. It will make a huge difference.

Move More!
Okay, so your New Year’s Resolution to go to the gym is not working out. Do not worry about that for now. Simply try to move more throughout the day: take the stairs instead of the escalator, get up from your desk to walk to the water cooler every fifteen minutes, park in the back of the parking lot when you go to the grocery store. Do anything to avoid being sedentary!

Take a Vitamin D Supplement.
If you live in an area that does not get much sunlight, or if you work indoors, it is likely that you are not getting enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to mood disorders, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, and cognitive impairment. If you have the opportunity, spend 15 minutes a day in the sun, and if not, take a Vitamin D supplement. It will likely increase your energy.

Sleep More!
Decide that you are going to go to bed just a half hour earlier this week. Make it a priority. A half hour is not much of a difference, but it may just give you the extra rest you need to feel calmer and less stressed during the day.

Eat as Few Processed Foods as Possible!
An excess of processed foods and refined carbohydrates wreak havoc on your body. The occasional treat is okay, but too much sugar or refined carbohydrates (such as anything make with white flour) cause your body to produce high levels of insulin, leading to skyrocketing blood sugar levels, moodiness, extreme fatigue, and inability to think straight. Sugar also elevates levels of cortisol in your body, mimicking the stress response.

For those of you who have had success with these tips, please share!