Beautiful Blogging ~

Welcome to this week's BB post! To start, I did choose a winner from last week's posts yesterday afternoon but I haven't heard back from her. If I don't hear back by later today I will draw another name! BTW, thank you for all of your great suggestions last week! I do plan on addressing them in future posts so please check back each week!

This week's BB is a few tips on managing stress! We all experience stress everyday in our lives! I often tell my clients that just getting out of bed in our society is stressful! How many of us jump out of bed and immediately begin thinking about the day's "to-do" list? We all seem to try to jam as much as we can into our day. Did you know that when we are stressed our heart rate and blood pressure rise! Plus, we are releasing adrenaline too. That is why stress can lead to physiological problems, like hypertension, down the road. So here are my suggestions and please feel free to add your own!

• Make yourself a priority! I can't tell you how many times women tell me "I just don't have time." The reality really is that you MUST make time. If we don't care for ourselves how in the world can we possibly take care of anyone or anything else!
• Exercise! I know, I know, we hear this all of the time but the fact is that it's such an important ingredient in our lives! Exercise relieves stress, releases endorphins (the "feel good" hormone), and helps us manage a healthy weight. Of course you don't need to go to the gym. There are oodles of ways to achieve this ~ gardening, bike riding, walking, engaging in sports etc... Find what YOU like and do it!
• Avoid caffeine! Yep, I am the original caffeine queen and I know most of us like to indulge! But, when you're stressed or anxious adding caffeine to the mix via coffee, tea, chocolate etc.. will only further aid to your problems. Caffeine of course is a stimulant so imagine what your rev-ed up body already feels and then add more!
• Deep breathe! This is huge! When we are stressed we tend to have very shallow breathing so deep breathing immediately calms us. Here's a great breathing exercise to try but remember you don't have to lie down. Just make sure that you sit comfortable and allow the exercise to work.
• Plan a fun activity! Make sure you schedule enjoyable activities in your schedule. We all need something to look forward to. Plus, it can help us get through those less enjoyable activities!
• Laugh! It truly is one of the best "medicines" we can use! So socialize, play, laugh. All great ways to relieve stress!
• Self-nurture! This means you do something EVERYDAY that makes YOU feel good. This doesn't have to be a long activity but it has to be something that is meaningful to you and only you can define what is meaningful to you. Personally, I love mindless computer games and a long hot bubble bath with a good book!

There really are many, many ways to relieve stress as I have only listed a few. The most important thing to remember is to pay attention to your body and LISTEN to what it is saying. Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, upset stomach, etc... are all ways our body is telling us that we are stressed. Now that you've heard, what will you do?

Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Jacalyn