LIFE IS ABOUT BALANCE – STRESS, LAUGHS & IN-BETWEENS

Life is About Balance – Stress, Laughs & In-Betweens

“If stress burned calories, I’d be a supermodel!” -Unknown

I hope it’s not the case for all of you, but I think most of us can agree that there is at least some truth here ;). Did you know that April is stress awareness month? Seems appropriate for the month that also houses tax day, right??

But in all seriousness, stress is more than just a nuisance. Stress.org loosely defines stress as, “is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension … a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened.” So, there might be good “stress,” like the stress on our muscles as we workout, or the mental tension we feel when we’re learning something new. But perhaps the more well-known version is not so positive and can actually be damaging, especially in the long term.

Damaging stress can appear as a mental distraction, an anxious feeling or even physical ailment. It has the ability to affect your mood and mental state – potentially having a negative impact on your relationships, career, etc. And the consequences aren’t limited to mental ones, but physical as well. Most notably, stress has been shown to be a contributing factor to heart disease, digestive health concerns and weight gain.

You might be thinking, “stress is unavoidable, what am I supposed to do about it?” Well, as we all know, stress is, to an extent, part of life. We can’t just avoid it all together. However, there are healthy ways to limit stressors and cope with the stress we do have.

Heathy stress relievers:

Eat a balanced diet of health whole foods – fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins.

Limit stimulants like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.

Exercise consistently.

Get better sleep – turn off screens 30 mins before bed, develop a night time routine to help yourself wind down, aim for 8 hours of sleep each night.

Learn what helps you relax (i.e. taking a bath, going for a walk, writing, reading, yoga, deep breathing, etc.).

Seek a professional therapist or psychologist.

Set boundaries and proactive about avoiding things that cause you extra or unnecessary stress.

Laughter – seek more moments to laugh.

Which brings us to another theme in the month of April… not only is this stress awareness month, it’s also humor month! And there’s no reason to stress about those beautiful laugh lines ;)! As it turns out, the old saying, “laughter is the best medicine” actually has some truth to it; and it may be just the key to lowering your stress levels.

Here’s the facts about laughter and its influence on our health: A good laugh increases endorphins and oxygen intake, stimulating circulation and reducing cortisol (the stress hormone). Laughing can lower your blood pressure, soothe tension in your body and helps to relax your muscles. It improves your mood and even works as a natural pain reliever/reducer. So, whether you’re stressed, depressed or suffering from aches and pains, a good laugh may be the key to taking the edge off!

Find more laughter:

Turn on a funny movie.

Listen to a humorous podcast.

Search for funny jokes, stories or memes on the internet.

Call a friend who you know you can laugh with (did you know that laughter has also been shown to improve relationships??).

Feeling extra stressed and looking for another way to reduce stress and boost your mood? I recommend Q Chill Terpene Elixir *Link HERE*! These natural drops with plant-derived ingredients help by promoting a sense of calm and boosting your mood. Plus, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to keep you feeling great and staying healthy!

xoxo,

Lucie Mitchell CTNC & CTLC