by Thomas P Schieffer
Stress is a major contributor to health problems in our society today. It contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and impotence, to name a few. Getting control of stress will help you improve your overall health and well-being. I encourage you to try these five simple and natural ways to relieve stress over the next month and to journal about them. I’m sure you’ll be amazed at what effects they have on you.
- Drink water– hydration is key to keeping the body flexible and vital to nourishing and detoxifying itself. In order to determine the average amount of water you should drink per day is, take half of your body weight and turn it into ounces. For example, if you are 200 pounds, then you should drink 100 ounces of water a day.
- Sleep- a good night of sleep helps the body to heal, recover and detoxify. Eight hours is the average sleep needed per night. If you have sleep debt, you will need to sleep longer to recover.
- Walking– a simple walk around the block can decrease stress by 60%. The body is made to move frequently. If you find yourself sitting for too long, stand up and go for a short walk.
- Healthy Food- a well balanced diet gives your body the nutrients it needs to meet the ever growing demands of our challenging world. Food also greatly affects your moods and your mental state. Making the right choice of foods varies with every individual.
- Body work– this helps your body relax and recover. It is like a multivitamin for the body because it nourishes your nervous system and because, if done on a regular basis, it will prevent major illnesses and stress from settling into your body.
Finding what works for you to help with stress can be a fun exploration of knowing yourself. The body will give you signs and symptoms to tell you if what you are doing is helping or hindering. You should consult with a health professional with any major changes of habit or diet and get to know healthy signs and symptoms of your body. A good health professional will also help you take your health back into your own hands.
