My Fitness Edge

The demands of work and society sure often make you end up stressed. You have trouble getting some shut eye, and nothing seems to get rid of your exhaustion. You can’t seem to focus on something, and sometimes you turn to overeating. There are others who even resort to alcohol and substance abuse to help them cope up with stress.

Without properly dealing with it, your health begins to suffer. There are many illnesses and diseases linked to chronic stress. They are hypertension, heart diseases, obesity, sexual dysfunction, depression, and some cancers. Finding time to slow down and combat stress is essential. The following are some easy ways of de-stressing.

Getting sufficient sleep at night helps your mind and body cope up with daily stresses. Ideally, you should have 7-8 hours of sleep. If you’re having trouble getting one at night, fret not. Make sure your room is cool, dark and quiet, to help you get to sleep. A cup of chamomile tea before bedtime helps relax you. Others swear by a glass of warm milk and a piece of banana.

Studies have revealed that reading a book is more favorable for relaxation, as compared to walking or listening to music. Focusing on what you’re reading helps take your mind and body off of external distractions. Pick something that you like to read about. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a science fiction novel, best golf instruction book, or the self-help kind.

Sure it may sound like it’s going to add up to your exhaustion, but exercising is a great way to de-stress. You can avail of a gym’s equipment and personal training to help you effectively deal with stresses. You may also enroll yourself in classes such as kickboxing, martial arts, wrestling and the like. They will not help get rid of excess pounds, but also combat stress.

Gardening gets you out of the house and lets you bask in the uplifting sun. Focusing on planting flowers, fruits, veggies, herbs and ornamental plants keeps your mind off stressful thoughts. Plus there’s also the rewarding feeling you get as the garden grows. Growing a garden is cheap, relaxing and, well, fruitful.

Give your funny friends a ring to hang out with them. It is said that laughter is the best medicine, and it’s also great for de-stressing you. Laughing eliminates stress-inducing hormones, so you can easily laugh off your worries. At the end of the day, get some giggles to chill out.

Finally, avoid some things that add up to the things that you need to worry about daily. For instance, find another route to work instead of putting up with major traffic. Use nickel free jewelry or fashion items to minimize risk of getting an allergy. Cut back on drinking caffeinated beverages and smoking that will make you feel jumpy.