Take a moment.

We have a lot of stresses that we deal with in our lives. We deal with work, relationships, finances, children, home repairs, accidents, our health and the list can go on. Every single person deals with stress no matter the stress they might deal with and it is safe to say that everybody is trying to search for ways to relieve their stress. Some people turn to unnatural means that can be quite unhealthy. Some use substances (drugs, alcohol etc.) and other use junk food (I think we are all guilty of this).  I wanted to discuss 4 healthy and natural ways to reduce and relieve some of the stresses you may have.

4 Tips to Start Today

1. Exercising: It should come at no surprise that exercise can help relieve stress. It is much like Reese Witherspoon says in Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphin’s, endorphin’s make you happy, and happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” As ridiculous as she is in this movie, she makes a good point. Exercise gives natural endorphin’s that can help relieve stress.  Through research we have learned that those that participate in regular aerobic exercise (at least 3 days a week) have a decreased amount of tension and they have an elevated and stabilized mood. Of course, the benefits of exercise go beyond relieving stress. Your heart really appreciates it too! Check out this article; Your Heart Pump!
2. Spending Time in Nature: Did you know that spending time in the outdoors can actually decrease your stress level? I am sure you have found this to be true. Even thinking about nature makes me happier. Just think about sitting next to the river while the wind blows lightly. All you can see is trees and blue sky. You can’t hear cars, or people and it just YOU enjoying the beautiful outdoors.  Studies have shown that those who are in the nature have lower levels of cortisol (a hormone used to measure stress). Nature has also proven to decrease heart rate. So, if you are feeling stressed maybe you should take a hike (literally)! If you’re in the greater Akron area, check out Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). There is plenty of hiking, kayaking and biking to do!
3. Eating Healthy Food: We all know that eating healthier has MANY benefits. Eating healthier can give you more energy and make you happier. But, did you know there are certain types of foods that you can eat that have been proven to lower you stress?! Here are the best foods to eat to help combat stress: asparagus, avocados, berries, cashews, chamomile tea, green leafy vegetable and garlic.
4. Vitamins: Oftentimes the reason that you are dealing with so much stress is because you might be having a vitamin deficiency. Many of us don’t get enough of all of the essential vitamins that we need to function at 100%. This is especially prevalent in stress. There are some natural vitamins that you can take in order to provide yourself with an easier time to handle your stress levels. These vitamins include; Melatonin (for better sleep), Magnesium (promotes relaxation), Vitamin B-Complex (improve mood) and Theanine (helps to ease the mind and help with anger). If you want to learn more about vitamins and minerals, reach out to our registered dietitian or one of our personal trainers! We’d love to answer any questions you may have.