As we are entering one of the BUSIEST times of the
whole year...the word STRESS comes to mind.
We all feel stress from time to time...
whole year...the word STRESS comes to mind.
We all feel stress from time to time...
But, if we let stress take control of us, it can have
very negative effect on our health.
Thought processes go awry, not thinking clearly, inability to remember.
Stress affects emotions, (feeling extra sad, frustrated, irritable)
Stress affects emotions, (feeling extra sad, frustrated, irritable)
It's dangerous to the heart, (high blood pressure, blood clots, strokes)
Stress can reek havoc on stomach and intestines (ulcers, acid reflux
irritable bowls, vomiting, and diarrhea). And, skin suffers too,
(eczema, acne, cold sores and fever blisters), and...
with stress the immune system is in a weakened state.
Stress can reek havoc on stomach and intestines (ulcers, acid reflux
irritable bowls, vomiting, and diarrhea). And, skin suffers too,
(eczema, acne, cold sores and fever blisters), and...
with stress the immune system is in a weakened state.
Of course,
you probably already knew about all the bad things
that can happen to you if you are in a
"STRESS MESS"
I don't think any of us choose to be stressed. But,
sometimes we can find ourselves...
...in a TANGLE - of stress!
~~~
~~~
The idea of biological stress is a fairly recent discovery. It wasn't until
the late 1950s that endocrinologist Hans Selye first identified
and documented stress. While symptoms of stress
existed long before Mr. Selye, his discoveries led to new
research that has helped millions combat stress.
Some things that can help...
1)
Music...Playing calm music has a positive effect on
the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol,
a hormone linked to stress.
2)
Call a Friend...when stress hits, take a minute and
call a friend to discuss your problems. A kind, reassuring voice,
even for a minute can bring things into perspective.
3)
Eat right (and take vitamins)...stress levels and diet are closely related
When we are stressed we tend to want sugar and fatty foods.
These can make stress worse. Fruits and Vegetables are
And, fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids,
which have been shown to reduce the symptoms of stress.
A tuna sandwich really is brain food.
4)
Laughter is good medicine...yep, it's true! It releases
endorphins that improve mood and decrease levels of the
stress-causing hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
5)
Exercise (Even For a Minute)...you don't have to power lift
or train for a marathon. Even a short walk around the office
or taking a short break to stand and stretch can relieve stress.
Getting your blood moving releases endorphins and can improve
mood almost immediately. I need to go for a walk instead
of walking to the pantry!
of walking to the pantry!
6)
Sleep...stress causes many to lose sleep. And, lack of
sleep causes stress...Yikes! a vicious circle. Make every effort
to get enough sleep (at least 7-8hrs). It may be the best stress buster!
========================
~~Kookie's Kitchen~~
Apples stir-fry
3-4 apples cubed ( this is a great recipe to use old apples gone soft)
3 T brown sugar
a few drops of oil
1t cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves (season to taste)
1/2 cup of your favorite granola
* if you like, 3-4 Tablespoons of finely chopped pecans mixed into the granola
~~heat teflon coated pan to hot and sprinkle few drops of oil
~~stir-fry apples with sugar and season with above spices
~~cook till they are tender, stirring frequently so they don't burn
~~cook till they are tender, stirring frequently so they don't burn
~~ serve in a bowl topped with granola and nuts
======================================
~~Ruby's Report~~
TREADMILL - - I did 6 days 3miles each day. YIPEE for me!
===============
YOUR report???
... how did you all do with your "healthy" goals
for this past week? Please, share ...it motivates us all!
---
And, do you have things that you do to help you
relieve stress?
week 11.7 thru 11.12 --this week I was away from home
TREADMILL - - only did 4 days...and not every time 3miles
I wasn't feeling good and the treadmill was at a clubhouse.
Not a great excuse. But, that's mee story, anyway.
Not a great excuse. But, that's mee story, anyway.
FOOD - - - - - - I didn't do very well in this area either! I had a big bowl
of homemade buttered (drowned in butter) popcorn for
comfort food and ate out 3 times. UGH!
of homemade buttered (drowned in butter) popcorn for
comfort food and ate out 3 times. UGH!
WEIGHTLOSS - I gained 2lbs =(
Week 11.14 thru 11.19
TREADMILL - - I did 6 days 3miles each day. YIPEE for me!
FOOD - - - - - - I did better with my food choices this week. But, I still need
to be MORE diligent I need to work harder to stay away
from "white stuff" (more about this another post)
from "white stuff" (more about this another post)
WEIGHTLOSS - Down 1.4 from last Saturday...(if only I could keep this up)
===============
YOUR report???
... how did you all do with your "healthy" goals
for this past week? Please, share ...it motivates us all!
---
And, do you have things that you do to help you
relieve stress?
7 comments:
Hm-m-m-m I think I need to participate with you. I admire that you use a treadmill. I have been trying to do weight watchers on line and exercise. I did fairly well until last june then fell off the wagon and haven't motiviated myself to get back on track. My sweetie loves to eat out. Since i started working part time his idea of a wonderful date is going out to lunch. Your apple recipe sounds yummy. i am going to give it a try. I wish us luck.
Dear Beth, I couldn't reply to your commnet thru email because you are a "no reply blogger" =(
But, I DO want to thank you for sharing your comments! It is VERY hard for me, too, to go out to eat and not gain back all of the hard worked off pounds. I need to work more on my discipline to do less calories while eating out...or excercise more...=(
hugZ,
annie
Hi Annie, I already observe some of your stress busters and try walking up to what we call the "thinking tree" instead of to the pantry :).
I've been back on the weight watching wagon for the last few weeks and it's easier to direct you to here http://weightforagehandicap.blogspot.com/
rather than retype some of it again.
I'm keeping on track and hope to have 'disposed' of another 6kg (around a stone in imperial measurements) by Christmas. It's easier to do this in Summer here than Winter ;P.
Cheers,
Robyn
I've been so stressed the last few weeks that two of my friends have asked me about it. Unfortunately, I don't see an end until after Christmas. No help at home, which causes even more stress. Oh well.
Stress is my major weight problem! For years I was under much stress and was not able to lose any weight. My stomach was always in turmoil and I have no idea how I did not lose weight, given how things were, but I didn't. The minute that stressed was removed I lost weight! I mean I went down 2 pant sizes, when I wore that size for 15 years---without even diet changes!
I was on my way down even more when Stephen showed up. Of course I gained, but I gained even more after he was born. Babies stress me. They always have. When they scream it makes me eat. Laugh, I know. But it really is true. I've noticed that I am not nearly as stressed as he grows, so just maybe I can get the weight to come back off again now that he doesn't scream all the time. Ha! I hope so!
Annie, I will have to figure out how to change the no reply blogger status. I started blogging a few months ago and thought I would have a better grasp of it by now! I am not a stranger to the computer but blogging is not coming "naturally". We will keep plugging away.
It is a stressful time of year! It just started and I'm feeling it already! I did do most of my grocery shopping for Thanksgiving last week so I could just make one small trip to the store on Tuesday, instead of a large one, to help make it easier on myself. Thanks for the informative post. Oh yes, the lights on our brand new artificial Christmas tree aren't working.....sigh!
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