FitSugar

Relaxing Ways to Stay Healthy and De-Stress

Leta Shy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:38:17 PST

Exercise is a proven way to beat stress, but if you're more in the mode for relaxation, here are some ways to ensure you stay healthy and stress-free without a bead of sweat.

Eat fresh: Greasy, fried foods may be endorphin-boosting since they're addictive, but in the end, they'll only make you feel bloated and tired. Instead of eating processed foods, reach for feel-good foods that will not only help you get the nutrition you need but will also boost your happiness, like these five foods that fight stress.

Think low-intensity, not no-intensity: On those lazy days when you don't want to sweat it out, there's ways to still burn calories and boost endorphins. Whether you're walking or practicing restorative yoga, make sure you stay moving when you're feeling especially overwhelmed.

Read on for more tips after the break.

Practice Yoga Breath In Your Daily Life

Leta Shy — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:48:07 PST

Over the weekend, I took a yoga class at the Yoga Journal Conference. It was a good way to learn from the best, while getting hands-on attention to help my own yoga practice. While correcting my pose, one of the teacher's assistants reminded me to do something that I always forget: breathe deeply from my diaphragm. Focused, deep breathing is an important aspect of yoga, since it helps you maintain the flow of your practice and balance, and relax muscles to increase flexibility. But once you're out of the studio, using your yoga breath also helps in your daily life.

What makes a good breath? One that starts deep down in your diaphragm and fills your lungs with oxygen. It's the opposite of the shallow, short breathing that many of us do without realizing it. A deep breath doesn't have to be long, or noisy (as in, don't think you have to walk around making those loud throat noises), but you should make a conscious effort to pull your shoulders back, fill your lungs, and exhale slowly. Read our tips on learning how to breathe from your diaphragm here.

Learn how helpful deep breathing is in your everyday life after the break.

Savvy Tip: 3 Steps to a More Relaxing Weekend

SavvySugar — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:13:52 PST

To make Monday through Friday run more smoothly, tweak your weekend routine and take advantage of the extra free time. Saturday and Sunday tend to fly by, but if you learn to make the most of those hours, you'll be able to tackle extra tasks and set yourself up for an easier work week. Follow these three tips for a productive weekend and prepare to reap the benefits all week long:

Schedule a time slot for errands. Spend five to 10 minutes each Friday figuring out which tasks you need to check off by Sunday night. Make a list and plan to take care of them in one day so that you'll have at least one full day to have fun and fill however you'd like. Once you've finished brainstorming and marked the to-dos on your calendar, move the chores to the back of your mind and focus on enjoying your days off.
Keep up your routine. If you wake up at 6 a.m. throughout the week, don't sleep until 11 a.m. on weekends. Give your body a break and stick fairly close to your standard sleep schedule. Same goes for your diet: don't shock your body with excess food or alcohol or you'll risk getting sick. Just because it's Saturday doesn't mean you should toss your healthy habits aside, so keep your mind and body in shape by taking your vitamins, eating balanced meals, and staying hydrated.
Chill out, guilt-free. The best thing you can do to kick-start a productive work week? Relax. Use your time off to cut yourself some slack and enjoy the things you love. It's important to maintain a work-life balance, so remember to reserve at least one day each weekend to sit back and unwind.

Start 2012 Off Right! 3 Ways to Improve Your Health, Now

Leta Shy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:35:23 PST

Being fit and healthy may be at the top of your resolutions for New Year's, but that doesn't mean you should ignore your health now while 2011 dwindles down. Instead, remind yourself that the last days of the year are the perfect time to start (or continue) your healthy run. As the year comes to an end, be sure you are doing these simple things to be your healthiest.

Fight stress: The gift-giving may be over, but the end-of-year wrap-up can still leave you feeling hurried, rushed, or stressed. Make sure you take breaks in your day to relax and do something you enjoy to prevent burn out. High levels of daily stress negatively affect your quality of life, so make happiness a priority by relieving stress and you'll be healthier overall.

Exercise and sleep: For many, the Winter season means regularly combating sniffles and sneezes. Nip that cold in the bud before it affects you by exercising at least 30 minutes a day as well as catching up on your sleep. Getting quality sleep and exercise will help keep your immunity revved up and ready to battle the season's nastiest bugs.

Eat for your health: You are what you eat, so make it count. Make sure you are eating enough fresh produce, since fruits and vegetables are jam-packed with the nutrients you should be getting every day. If you're not sure what you're eating, keep our chart of your recommended daily intake of nutrients handy, and track your eating habits in a journal or online so you know where to fill in the holes to reach your nutrition goals.

How Celebrity Trainers and Nutritionists Stay Healthy During Holiday Shopping

Leta Shy — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:34:15 PST

If you still haven't picked up all your presents, you're not alone. On any trip to the mall, you'll be among similarly fraught people trying to check off their lists before all the gifts need to be stacked under the tree.

But unlike the rest of of those shoppers, you don't have to make your holiday shopping trip hectic, stressful, and fast-food-filled. We asked a few celebrity trainers, nutritionists, and dietitians to tell us what they pack in their purses to ensure that they stay healthy, happy, and stress-free during this hectic shopping season. Read on for their advice and recommendations!

5 Ways You Unintentionally Stress Yourself Out (and How to Relax)

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:27:05 PST

Every time you experience stress, pressure is put on the adrenal glands, which then pump adrenaline into your bloodstream. The thing is, constant stress can lead to problems like chronic fatigue, weight gain, weakened immunity, and a shorter lifespan. The good thing is that the majority of life's daily stresses can be reduced with proper awareness, practice, and discipline. See what little things you are doing every day that unintentionally stress your body out, and find out how you can relax in these moments.

Running late to work: If you hit the snooze button every day, chances are you are scrambling to make up lost time. Hurrying through breakfast or skipping out on it altogether wreaks havoc on your digestive system and blood sugar levels. Rushing to get out the door can leave you frazzled, messy, and forgetful, especially when it comes to the important things like keys, your wallet, or umbrella.

How to relax: The night before, put out everything you need for the following day; keep the most important items near the front door. If you are consistently 15 minutes late every morning, set your alarm back the same amount of time. Make sure to sit down for breakfast, allowing yourself 30 minutes to eat. Try these recipes for make-ahead breakfasts.

Stressful thinking: Sometimes our thoughts make the world a more stressful place than it is. What is actually a manageable list of tasks can seem unconquerable to the mind. When the noggin starts churning, it's hard to step back and look at the full picture.

How to relax: If you find yourself caught in a stressful thought, pay attention to your facial expressions and breathing. Relax your face, close your eyes, and take a long full inhale. Bring yourself back to reality and the present moment and create a plan, mapping out your steps and timeline for completion.

Find out other three stresses and how to avoid them.

To Boost Immunity When Stress Is High, Be Consistent

Leta Shy — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:05:38 PST

There are just not enough hours in the day sometimes, especially when the hectic holidays come around. And all the fun and obligations of the season can equal one thing - stress - which can lead to sickness. Stress has been shown to suppress your immune system by raising your levels of the hormone cortisol (which can also lead to other unwanted side effects like insomnia and weight gain). Help counteract the immunity-decreasing effects of the holidays by remembering to make time to exercise regularly and get enough sleep.

A recent study found that people who exercised consistently five times a week were much less likely to get sick - the exercisers were about 40 percent less likely to catch a cold. That may be because aerobic activity helps keep the immunity cells active in your body. Consistent quality sleep, too, is key to boosting your immunity; studies have shown that well-rested people were less likely to catch a cold than those who slept fewer than seven hours a night.

Not to worry if you think you can't fit exercise or sleep into your schedule, however. You can get the immunity-boosting effects of exercise on just 20 minutes a day, so even if you can't get through your normal exercise routine, every little bit helps. Here are some 20-minute cardio workout ideas to help you get started. And remember that the quality of your sleep matters as much as your quantity. Make those nighttime hours count with these tips for getting quality sleep.

How Well Do You Get Along With Your Mama?

LilSugar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:32:10 PDT

A recent study concluded that a mom's relationship with her mother-in-law is the most stressful part of parenthood - but your own mother can cause stress in your life as well.

The relationship between mother and daughter can be quite complicated. Some women have great relationships with their own mothers, while others try to avoid having a relationship altogether. One disagreement with mom can send even the most seemingly put-together parent back to those teenage years, when she cried in her room blaring loud music and dreaming of the day when she would be the mom - she would do things differently.

On last night's episode of Up All Night, Christina Applegate's Regan did just that. She tried to avoid a visit with her parents due to her stressed relationship with her mom, played by Blythe Danner. In hopes of having a great relationship with her own daughter in the future, Regan decided to lead by example and tried to connect with her self-absorbed mom. In the end, it all worked out - but not before Regan had a good cry in her room.

So tell us, how well do you get along with your mama?

Simple Tips to Reduce Workday Stress

Michele Foley — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:16:46 PDT

Sometimes a "case of the Mondays" can follow us well into the work week. Looming deadlines, pressure from the boss, and a hectic day of meetings are enough to frazzle the calmest individual. Before you let stress take control of an otherwise productive workday, follow these tips for stopping stress before it takes full hold.

Eat yourself to calm: While fatty junk foods may seem like the cure to your hectic day, these indulgences will only have you experiencing the crash-and-burn effect of a sugar high. Instead of reaching for things like chips or candy, eat one of these healthy foods proven to fight stress. Good-for-you items like nuts, oranges, spinach, and fish all contain nutrients that will ward off workday pressures. If a sweet treat is the only way you'll be able to survive the day, choose dark chocolate. A recent study shows that eating a small amount of dark chocolate can reduce stress levels. Along these same lines, give yourself a break and eat lunch away from your desk. Getting out of the office may be just what you need to relax.
Schedule a lunchtime workout: An easy way to blow off steam during your workday is to exercise. If the idea of leaving work to hit the gym only causes stress levels to rise, follow these timesaving tips for a midday workout and check out this quick beauty routine for the locker room. Numerous studies have shown that exercise is a sure-fire way to boost endorphins. You'll return to work happier, calmer, and energized.

See the rest of the tips after the break!

What's the Most Stressful Part of Being a Parent?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:32:43 PDT

Wouldn't it be nice if adding a baby to the family was as picture perfect as the movies would have us believe? You know, the picture of the new mom sitting in bed with a newborn in her arms, and her family (including her in-laws) gathered around them? Not to disillusion the new moms among us, but throw in a lack of sleep, the cost of caring for the tot, health concerns, and family issues, and you've got yourself a big stew of stress that can knock a mama to her knees.

A new study by Netmums finds that a mother's relationship with her mother-in-law is the most stressful part of being parent - not money, not sleep deprivation, but her dealings with her husband's mother. Additionally, one-third of those surveyed said they regularly argue with their partner about their mother-in-law's meddling in parenting decisions. That's a whole lot of stress we're talking about here. Do you feel the same way?