TIP # 11

Don't forget to laugh. Laughter truly is the best medecine.






-Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

-Laughter boosts the immune system.

-Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

-Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

-Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Be smart, stay healthy!

TIP # 10

Get some fresh air.



If you are cooped up inside all day, take a few minutes to get outside and see the sun. A little time in the great outdoors can improve your mood and help you relax.
A walk in the park is always invigorating.

TIP # 9

Replace the phrase "I have to" with "I get to"






Even the most miserable of tasks seem easier and less stressful if you get to do them. It's kind of like a reward. Oooeee, I get to make cold calls today. It gives you a positive feeling." By removing that feeling that you "have" to do something, you've reduced some pressure and stress.

TIP # 8

WAKE UP 15 MINUTES EARLY IN THE MORNING




15 minutes is hardly going to make a dent in your night's sleep. Especially if you followed the tips about getting a good night sleep. But an extra 15 minutes in the morning means you are little bit less rushed, you have a little more time to get organized, get ready for your busy day. You will then start your day much less stressed out. If nothing else it will give you time to have a quiet relaxing start to your day.

Starting your day in a maximum stress situation does not fare well for your well being. It will make you grumpy, tired, anxious and everything coming your way will appear to be more stressful than it really is.

So get that extra 15 minutes and start your day with a smile

Be smart, stay healthy!!!

TIP # 7

STAY AWAY FROM JUNK FOOD!!!

I know it seems that the convenience of fast food would make sense when you are so busy and have too many things to do. Cooking is probably the last thing on your mind.

Junk food is high in fats, sugar and chemicals and this will only drag you down. What you need is more energy, better health. A good diet will help you provide this.

Remember if you put lower quality oil and gasoline in your car, it will give you a much worse performance than if you fuel it with good quality products. Same goes for your body.

You can eat some healthy meals without spending a lot of time preparing them.

• Be organized: take time to wash and organize your food when you get home from the grocery store. It makes it easier when you are ready to cook
• Have some good recipes to rely upon (Rachel Ray is famous for her quick healthy meals),
• Purchase good healthy food and snacks (if you don't have junk food on hands it makes it difficult to eat it)
• Make more than you need for one meal, divide and freeze the rest in single portion. You will have a quick meal ready to go for another night. Just take out in the morning and it will be thawed out by the time you get home.
• Crock-pots are wonderful. You can get everything ready the night before or early in the morning and have a delicious meal waiting for you when you get home from work or a long day shopping
• Don't have gazillions of Christmas goodies sitting around the house. If you enjoy making Christmas cookies, share them with others
• Make sure your pantry is stock with good solid healthy basics to help you complete most recipes. It's not fun to be missing one or two key ingredients when you are trying to complete a meal.

Be smart, stay healthy

TIP # 6

THINK ABOUT 1 THING AT THE TIME

Your mind can only deal with one thing at a time and if you introduce more that two goals to you mind, you will surely end up feeling stressed. The only reason large projects seem stressful is because you try to think of everything you would need to accomplish at once. You should divide a large project or problem into small steps and execute those steps one at a time. This will make you more productive and you will not feel overwhelmed, therefore you will avoid getting stressed.

Remember.... how do you eat an elephant?? One bit at the time!!!

TIP # 5

LISTEN TO MUSIC

If you're feeling overwhelmed by a stressful situation, try taking a break and listening to relaxing music. Playing calm music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

TIP # 4

WORKOUT

Working out produces endorphin (your happy hormones). Happy people do not get depressed.

Working out makes your body work better and healthier. A body in tip top shape can handle stress a lot better.

Working out makes you feel better mentally.... "Yes, I got my workout in, I did it".... especially the days you don't feel like working out.

Only a few minutes per day will enhance the quality of your day. Just do it!!!

Be smart, stay healthy.

TIP # 3

GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP!!!

Sleep is so very important. It's time for your body to heal and recharge. If you let worry deprive you of sleep, it will create a vicious cycle. The less sleep you have, the more stress you have.

If you suffer from chronic insomnia, seek help. You may have some underlying health issues that prevents you from experiencing a good night sleep.

For occasional sleep disturbances here are a few ideas to help you out:

• keep regular hours, try going to bed at approximately the same time every night
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• do not eat after 7:00-8:00 at night. Digesting food will hinder your sleep.
• 
  
• have more 'calming" activities before bedtime.... ie. Do NOT watch the news but instead maybe read a good book, have a soothing hobby.
• 
  
• try some calming teas like chamomile, lavender, etc
• 
  
• try a hot bath or shower
• 
  
• do not drink caffeinated products from late afternoon till bedtime
• 
  
• write any thoughts or to-do list down before bedtime so they will not occupy your mind all night long. You may even want to keep a notebook on your night stand.
• 
  
• when you are lying in bed, take time to review in your mind all the things you are grateful for in your life
• 
  
• meditation, yoga have great calming capacities
• 
  
• increase your light exposure during the day. Make sure your circadian rhythm is well set
• 
  
• turn your TV and computer off at nigh. Not only does the light suppress melatonin production, but TV can actually stimulate the mind, rather than relaxing it.
• 
  
• make sure your bed in comfortable
• 
  
• keep your room cool with adequate ventilation

Be smart, stay healthy!!!

TIP # 2.

Learn to say "NO"

Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

Tip #1

Set up priorities!!! Create a list.

Not everything is urgent. But if you start thinking so you will drive yourself crazy trying to complete every item on your to do list. Set up a ranking system of priority.

• What is a true emergency?
• What needs to be done immediately?
• What can wait till tomorrow?
• What can wait till next week?
• What is something I want to get done but really do not need to get done?
• What can I delegate?

Write your list down. Scratch out the items off your list as they get completed. You will feel better about having accomplish the real priorities and you may even have time to get a heads up on tomorrow's priority list.

At night you can take a look at your list and see how much you truly accomplished during your day. You will sleep better and feel much less stressed out about the things that did not get done.

Merry December!!!

Tis the Season to be jolly and merry and share in some quality time with our loved one... in theory.

But Christmas time has become more synonymous with "STRESS".

In honor of keeping the spirit of Christmas and spreading goodwill toward all, I will post tips on how to reduce stress in your life. Take time to apply them and you will have a much more enjoyable Season!!