How does stress affect your health?

Part of the foundation of holistic health is that everything that surrounds you, as well as what you eat and drink, affect the health of your body. Here are some easy changes to bring more health into your life, and keep it there!

Stress Reduction

It is so important to allow your body to relax and be able to digest, absorb nutrients and build healthy tissue. Your body reacts similarly to a modern-day stressor such as an impending deadline, as it does to a tiger chasing after you! When in the fight-or-flight mode, systems of the body that are not deemed necessary for survival, like digestion and shiny hair & nail maintenance, are compromised.

For optimal health, enjoy daily stress-reducing activities such as:

• Yoga

• Meditation (even just 5 minutes at a time)

• Being in nature

• Social support/community

• Writing/journaling

• Conscious breathing (count to 5 as you inhale, pause, count to 5 as you exhale)

• Turning off your TV, computer, phone and any other electronics, on a regular basis but at least 2 hours before bed to allow for decompression from your day

• Anything else that you find reduces stress in your life!

Exercise

A great stress-reducer, exercise is necessary for physical, as well as mental, health. Bonus if it’s done outside in nature!

• Sports

• Running, hiking, walking

• Biking

• Dancing

• Swimming

• Yoga

• Working out & lifting weights