In my last post, I shared what happens in your body when you're stressed. Read it here if you haven't already. This week, I'm writing about the potential results of what happens in your body AND how you can change it for the positive. When you learn exactly how your body responds to stress, it can be a HUGE “a-ha” moment. It helps you understand what you can do to calm your body so you feel instantly more balanced and more in control – and why that’s so important! It’s tempting to think we can power through stress, but over time it takes a real toll. Here are just some of the ways stress change your body:
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We're headed into. a busy time of year with new schedules, etc... and I know that as women, we often try to toughen up and push through. Spoiler alert: you can't do it. That’s because stress isn’t all “in your mind.” It’s also in your body. Your stress response system is a primal reaction... it’s hardwired into your system to keep you safe and alive. Today, I'm going to outline some important things you need to know about stress and how it affects you – info that also will help you:
When your ancestors were under threat – whether it was fighting off a predator or dealing with everyday problems like feeding a growing family – their bodies responded with energy to keep them out of harm’s way.
Our culture has changed a lot since then, but our body’s wiring hasn’t. We react to stress the same way, except our stressors don’t require us to outrun a bear or worry about where our next meal is coming from. And that can have a major impact on your health! I want to walk you through what happens to your body during a typical stressful situation. Hang in there with me, because it’s pretty eye-opening. Did you know that almost 1 billion people across the world have a vitamin D deficiency? That's a big deal, because vitamin D does so much to keep us feeling healthy. Do you know how your vitamin D doing? One big symptom of being low in vitamin D is feeling rundown and tired, along with catching every cold/bug that comes around. Feeling depressed and losing hair are also two common signs that you might be low in the "sunshine" vitamin. Why Vitamin D is SO ImportantDid you know that there's a nutrient in your food that can keep you feeling full, doesn't have any calories, and also helps you live longer? Most of us don't get enough of it! It's fiber, and it's definitely worth taking a look at your intake...including all those healthy snacks I've included in my free ebook this month! Spoiler alert: I've got a delicious fiber-rich recipe below that you'll definitely want to try.
Before we get to that, though, let me tell you how much fiber you need to get each day. Do you get enough sleep every night? Some surveys are showing that people are sleeping less than ever, with some only getting five to six hours of sleep per night. "Powering through" on too little sleep is not a good idea for the long-term health of your body. There are two major hormone "pathways" that take a big hit when you don't get enough sleep -- including hormones that handle things like your sex drive, stress, hunger, and blood sugar ... and (ironically enough) your ability to fall asleep. And...it only takes a night or two for them to get out of balance. One pathway is governed by your pituitary gland and the other is your autonomic nervous system. But they are intertwined, and they have a hand in virtually every function of your body. Keeping your hormones in balance is a huge part of feeling strong, focused, and vital. Three Ways Sleep Affects Your Hormones1. Hunger"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." -- Anne Lamott Just as I sat down to write this article, my internet suddenly stopped working. I tried reloading a couple of times thinking it might be the website I was trying to load, but in the end I unplugged it for a minute, then plugged it back in. After about ten minutes, I had service again. Are modems and humans similar? Not too much, except that taking a ten minute break will increase your productivity, too. Read on to find out why I schedule regular ten minute breaks through out my day and schedule breaks during the rest of the year as well. Do you have breaks scheduled into your days, weeks, months, and year?Yes, it seems everywhere you turn health and wellness experts are telling you to eat more fruits and vegetables. You totally get it. Yes, they’re full, and I mean FULL, of nutrition (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, etc.). Yes, people who eat more fruits and vegetables live longer, healthier lives. Not to mention protecting their bodies and minds from just about every chronic disease out there. If you haven't explored the Farmer's Market Friday portion of my website, check it out here. I explore the health benefits of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. I found it amazing as I researched that almost every one had special health benefits. Yes, eating more vegetables can help you maintain a healthy body weight, and even lose some fat (as long as you don’t bread and fry them, or cover them with cream sauce). Your question is not “Should I eat more fruits and vegetables,” but “How can I actually do it?”
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there." -- Lewis Carrol Before I start work with a client, whether it's one-on-one or in an online program, the very first thing we do is figure out is "why do you want to do this program or work on yourself?"
Without Clarity, you'll likely find yourself lacking energy, productivity, courage, and influence. These five were shown to be key traits of the most successful people in the world and maybe you don't aim to be among the most successful people in the world, but you probably have your own success you'd like to achieve. We're midway through the year, and you may have lost track of your goals completely, or they've shifted through the year.
Did you see the headlines a few years ago stating that "sitting is the new smoking?"
Researchers looked at the health risks of sitting for hours at a time, and concluded that if you sit all day, your risk of dying was the same as that of a smoker. While those headlines might have a grain of truth, according to researchers who published a new study in the American Journal of Public Health have shown that while sitting isn't great for you, it's definitely not as bad as smoking! Reference
Sitting more than eight hours a day does increase your risk of premature death and developing some chronic diseases by as much as 10 to 20 percent, but it's nowhere near the same as smoking, which boosts the risk of early death by 180%.
Here's the even better news: if you must sit a lot, there are some things you can do to offset the risk of developing diseases related to being sedentary.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Do you slouch because you're stressed or are you stressed because you slouch?
Scientists are uncovering links between your mood and your posture, and it turns out the two are tied together in powerful ways.
For most of us, that stress-posture question probably works in both directions. But there's a surprising amount of research that shows that how you sit and stand has a pretty big impact on your stress level, self-confidence, and your mood!
Not only does your posture impact how others see you (happy and confident vs. depressed and guarded), it can play a role in how YOU see the world!
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Women's Wellness Circle: Create Your Extraordinary Life AuthorHi, I’m Crystal! If you'd like to access my Farmer's Market Friday posts from 2018, click here!
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