Showing posts with label eating disorders stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eating disorders stress. Show all posts

Relaxation: Important For Both Body and Mind

There’s no escaping the occasional stressful situation but when stress is a regular companion, it takes its toll on our bodies and our minds. Studies show that stress is a major contributor to many health issues so it’s important that we learn to relax for our own good.

When we are stressed our system is on high alert. Our bodies respond with adrenaline. Our nerves send messages to every organ in the body. Our heart rate increases. Breathing becomes shallow and fast. Our blood pressure goes up. Eventually, damage is done.

There are many benefits to learning to relax…


The Following Can Be Improved With Regular Relaxation:
  • Blood pressure
  • Risk of stroke
  • Muscle blood flow
  • Heart rate
  • Breathing rate
  • Muscle tension
  • Immunity
  • Memory
  • Asthma, emphysema, COAD
  • Skin (acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Tension headaches and migraines
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Raynaud’s syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Herpes simplex
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic pain


Other Benefits Include:
  • Emotional
  • Levels emotions
  • Elevates mood
  • Improves outlook
  • Improves decision making
  • Improves sleep
  • Helps clear skin (acne, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, etc)
  • Helps relieve depression and anxiety
  • Energizes
  • Lowers cortisol levels


This is why relaxation is extremely important for the health of both body and mind.

There are many ways to relax and what works best will depend on each individual. Some will find more relief from a non-physical relaxation technique while others will benefit most from a more physical approach. The most important thing is that you do not allow what is stressing you to enter your mind when you take time to relax.


Here are some non-physical ways to help you relax:


Here are some physical ways to help you relax:
  • Yoga
  • Tai chi
  • Walk
  • Sex
  • Bike ride
  • Jog
  • Laugh and play

In addition to taking time to relax is learning to manage stress. The first step is identifying the cause. The second step is learning to deal with that cause in a productive way.

  • Ask for help when you need it.
  • Talk out your problems with a trusted friend or therapist.
  • Learn to say “no” so you don’t become overwhelmed
  • Prioritize
  • Let go of what cannot be changed
  • Be proactive. Address what you can before they become (more) stressful
  • Schedule time to deal with difficult issues and only deal with them on those days (such as finances).

Schedule time to relax. Learn to relax in times of stress.
With all that we deal with on a day to day basis it is so important that we take care of ourselves.


Would you like to share your favorite stress remedy? Please share them in the comment section below. 




photo source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/yasinhasan/4431896656/in/photostream

7 Ways To Lift Your Spirits in 5 Minutes Or Less























Need an emotional (and even physical) lift? You only need a few minutes to make a big difference in how you feel.

7 Ways To Lift Your Spirits In 5 Minutes Or Less


Breathe

Sit up straight, shoulders back but relaxed. Clear your mind. Close your eyes. Relax. Take a slow breath in through your nose. Slowly exhale through your mouth, completely pushing the air out of your lungs until you can’t exhale any more. Take another slow, deep breath through your nose. This time completely fills your lungs letting your chest and tummy expand. Exhale slowly. Repeat. Keep a relaxed rhythm to your breathing.

Benefits include:
  • Releases tension
  • Elevates mood
  • Oxygenates the blood
  • Strengthens the lungs
  • Increases Energy
  • Strengthens internal muscles and stomach muscles
  • Releases endorphins
  • Release of toxins by increasing the functionality of the lymphatic system

Hum

Hum in a deep tone that resonates in your chest. Hum a happy, light tune. Either, or… the vibrations of humming are very similar to a meditative chant. Like chanting, the sound waves and vibrations are both soothing and beneficial.

Benefits include:
  • Relieves stress
  • Relieves tension
  • Improves Sinusitis
  • Slows breathing
  • Lowers Blood Pressure
  • Relaxes facial, neck muscles, and shoulder muscles
  • Improves the parasympathetic system

Smile

Not feeling particularly happy at the moment? Smile anyway. Even a forced smile causes positive physical and emotional responses. Smile at others. It will make you and them feel better. Think of the amazing chain reaction you could cause simply by lifting the corners of your mouth.

Benefits include:
  • Release of endorphins
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Increases Serotonin
  • Increases lifespan
More benefits of smiling


Stretch

Take time to stretch before jumping out of bed and starting your day. Get up from your office chair and stretch those muscles once in a while. Stretching feels great and is great for you.

Benefits include:
  • Improved circulation
  • Improved flexibility
  • Lowers Blood Pressure
  • Helps joint and muscle injury recovery
  • Increases Energy
  • Relieves stress and tension
  • Increases feeling of well-being
  • Improves posture

Doodle

Remember when you were little and the teacher would put on a record and you were told to just draw along with the tune? Take pen (or pencil) to paper and let your creativity out. Doodle to something you hum and double the benefits.

Benefits include:
  • Improved memory and retention of information
  • Improved focus
  • Decreases stress
  • Decreases tension
  • Increased creativity

Sing

You don’t need to be able to carry a tune to benefit from singing. Lucky for me, and anyone graced with a similar set of vocal chords, singing off key is just as healthy for you as singing like a professional. You don’t even need to sing a song. Try singing sounds like short a or e.

Benefits include:
  • Energizes
  • Releases endorphins
  • Exercises the lungs
  • Deeper breathing
  • Increases Circulation
  • Lessens muscle tension
  • Relieves stress
  • Exercises vocal chords
  • Elevates mood
  • Stimulates the pineal gland
  • Stimulates thyroid function

Daydream

Let your imagination take over for a few minutes. Close your eyes and let some positive imagery take the wheel.

Benefits include:
  • Increased creativity
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Relives stress
  • Improves memory
  • Improves concentration


picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/shareski/211532550/in/photostream/