What is stress and how can you reduce it?

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to things that upset our bodies balance. Studies show that most people experience some type of stress throughout the year.

“When our brain’s perceive a threat, it signals our bodies to release a burst of hormones to fuel your capacity for a response.” The problem comes when we have non-stop stress and the release is constant.

Determining the cause of your stress is your first step. After identifying the cause is the time to start working on strategies to deal with them. Often it is as easy as staying away from the neighbor who drives you nuts, or turning off the news. If you can’t avoid the stress inducer, then next step is to figure out ways to live with it.

In our world, it is unrealistic to expect stress to disappear from your life. Managing stress isn’t a one-day thing. With consistent effort, you can learn to manage your levels of stress and increase your ability to handle the challenges that bring stress.

Don’t try to do it on your own. Join a group who is going through the same stress as you, seek help from family and friends, or hire someone that can help you. You may also benefit from daily practices that encourage stress reduction.

Here are some ways you can reduce stress :

Laughing
, Exercise, 
Proper nutrition, 
Meditation, 
Yoga, 
Prayer, Enjoying nature, 
Reading, 
Getting away from the cause, 
Take a break, 
A steam shower, 
A warm bath, 
Deep breathing, 
A hug, Focus on gratitude, Participate in your favorite hobby, 
Anything on/or around water, 
Running, 
An act of kindness, 
A good night’s sleep.  What is your favorite way to relieve stress?

Foods can also help the body stress-less?

Dark Chocolate ~ real cacao not processed cocoa. It is a Natural Mood Booster!  Bananas ~ they contain dopamine, a natural reward chemical that boosts your mood, They’re also rich in B vitamins, including vitamin B6, which help to soothe your nervous system, and magnesium, another nutrient associated with positive mood. Just be careful to limit them if you have insulin/leptin resistance. Protein ~ it helps to keep your blood sugar levels steady for enhanced energy and mood. Turmeric ~ it has neuro-protective properties and may enhance mood and possibly help with depression. ~ Berries ~ The darker the better, blueberries, blackberries etc. They are full of antioxidants that promote dopamine levels, a chemical critical to your mood. Animal Based ~ Omega 3 Fatty Acids – One study in Brain Behavior and Immunity showed a dramatic 20 percent reduction in anxiety among medical students taking omega-3, while past research has shown omega-3 fats work just as well as antidepressants in preventing the signs of depression, but without any of the side effects.

I hope you find these tips useful.