OPTIMUM HEALTH TIP #15











Are you stressed?

Nearly half (48 percent) of Americans say that their stress levels have increased over the last five years.

A new study by the American Psychological Association found that one -third of Americans are living under extreme stress.

Seventy -five percent of Americans asked said that money and work was the leading causes of stress in their live.

Slightly more than half of Americans (51 percent) said rent or mortgage costs were sources of stress this year.

Thirty-one percent cited the inability to balance work and household duties as their source of stress.

Thirty five percent said that work interference with their family relationships caused hardship in their family in the form of separation or divorce.

Overall the study found that "America's stress levels are continuing to escalate".

Stress is the number one contributing factor to physical conditions like obesity, heart disease, chronic fatigue, muscle pain and depression.

So what are you doing to manage your stress?

Most people who follow these strategies find it really helps them decrease their stress levels but some don't.
For most people implementing these strategies has given them a new lease on life.

1. Eat whole foods. Vegetables fruits and whole grains can improve your mood by regulating your blood sugar levels.
Many people are struggling with mood swings through out the day.
Regulating your diet so you do not have huge spikes in blood sugar can eliminate your mood swings.
Whole foods offer more nutrients to your body keeping it sustained over a greater period of time.

2. Drink water. 64 oz. of water a day will give your body the hydration it needs. Water helps organs operate at peak performance including the brain keeping you from feeling frazzled and drained.

3. Movement. Get out and walk, ride, yoga, play at the park with kids. Burn off some energy. Nervousness, worry, excited or angry its all energy. Penned up energy can manifest into physical pain. Burn it off. Some simple stretching or a few excercises can decrease the level of stress you are feeling.

4. Decrease your stress hormone. When you are stressed your adrenal glands produce a hormone called Cortisol the stress hormone. Cortisol causes premature aging (wrinkles), heart disease, chronic pain, and causes the body to store belly fat.Under chronic stress your body releases natural steroids which cause fat to accumulate in your abdomen giving you a pot belly. In the 1950's the Russian government commissioned the soviet academy of sciences to create a product to achieve maximum human performance.THe unique group of plants are called adaptogens most people experience mood improvement, mental energy,enhanced sleep and better focus. Read about how most people have improved their optimum health http://tinyurl.com/bf5d88.

5. Limit your news intake. Media outlets like newspapers, television broadcasts and talk radio are packed full of negative reports of the economy and other awful events. Limit the time you spend listening to and reading the news. Remember, media outlets have papers to sell and ratings to keep up. Sensational news stories keep those ratings up and those papers sold. All the negative news reports contribute to stress levels so keep it down to a minimum or better yet cut it out completely.

Control your stress levels .Don't let stress control you. Your Optimum health depends on it.

Tammy Garcia
Wellness Mentor
www.gittfit.com
tammy@gittfit.com