FitSugar

5 Foods That Fight Stress

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:04 -0800

With the holiday season in full swing - presents to buy, meals to prepare, hardly a moment to hit the gym - it's easy to quickly become stressed out. And stress can trigger a load of other health issues, so it's best to keep our stress levels in check. While we're inclined to choose a not-so-healthy snack to put our stress at ease, there's a better solution in the way of food. Just read on to find out which healthy foods Self magazine suggests can help conquer stress and boost your mood.

View Slideshow ›

It's True! We Really Do Crave Fatty Foods When We're Stressed

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:00:42 -0800

If your chocolate cravings are any indication, you may have already suspected that high-fat foods are a woman's go-to snack when stressed. Now there's evidence to confirm your suspicions - UCSF recently conducted a study to examine the relationship between eating habits and chronic stress.

Researchers surveyed 600 overweight or obese women regarding their diet and stress. Issues classified as chronic stressors included job dissatisfaction, financial worries (like inability to pay rent or mortgage), or dealing with an ailing loved one. The women dealing with these taxing personal issues reported a higher likelihood of being unable to control what they ate, and a tendency to eat more fattening foods. Chronically stressed women were also more likely to force themselves to keep a regimented, strict diet to control weight gain, even skipping meals. The downside is that it's hard to keep up a regimented program, and being stressed means a plan like this is bound to backfire - ultimately there's a breaking point, and we're more likely to overeat.

To learn more about stressed-out eating, just read more.

While this study may not offer any groundbreaking info, it does serve as a healthy reminder: Be conscious of when you're actually hungry, and remember, there is such a thing as emotional eating. Be more mindful of your mental health and how it affects your food choices, and make healthy eating a priority. If you need some creative, healthy snack alternatives, visit our Snack Attack group for ideas.

Does the Holiday Season Stress You Out or Make You Happy?

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:47:57 -0800

I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, and while I am truly excited to have a house full of family and friends I am already a little stressed. The things causing me grief are minor (do I have enough wine glasses and bedding, etc.) but they are starting to stack up. I could really work myself up into a tizzy if I allow my lack of preparation for Christmas to enter into my mental mix. Combine the facts that stress weakens the immune system and it is cold and flu season, I am working hard to manage my holiday stress. So tell me . . .

Why We Overeat: Stress

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:31 -0700

If you find that you overeat throughout your day, but have ruled out excessive tiredness as the cause, then you may be reaching for fattening foods because you're stressed out. According to Health magazine, chronic stress causes your body to create cortisol and insulin. These hormones increase your appetite for comfort foods which tend to be high in fat, sugar, and salt. Eating these types of foods can make you lethargic and also lead to weight gain. If you're already overweight, fat cells produce cortisol as well, so you produce even more of this appetite-raising hormone.

To help break the stress cycle that has you reaching for a pint of Ben and Jerry's, you need to figure out the causes of your stress and work on decreasing them. Talk to your boss about your workload if it's too much, or if money issues are plaguing your brain make an appointment with a financial consultant. You can also micromanage your daily stress by exercising to clear your mind, taking a break from work to sip a hot cup of tea, or getting a tension-relieving massage. Make these stress-busters a part of your daily schedule and you'll not only feel calmer, but your urge to overindulge will wane too.

Relax Already: Try Reiki

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:30:36 -0700

After being laid off and collecting unemployment for a few weeks, an amazing career opportunity has just fallen into your lap, and you have a job interview tomorrow. Needless to say, you're anxious and stressed, and it's nothing a hot bath or cup of tea can handle. A Reiki session could be just the thing to calm your nerves and release tension from your tight muscles. Reiki is a type of Japanese healing therapy. The word Reiki translates to "spiritually guided life force energy." It's based on the idea that life force energy flows through us and around us (our aura), and it's what nourishes our organs and cells. When the flow of energy is disrupted, that's when emotional and physical issues arise.

A Reiki treatment feels somewhat like getting a massage, although there is minimal touching if any at all. As you lie on a comfy table, the practitioner will place her hands on various areas of your body, but often holds the hands a few centimeters above the body. The hands are kept still for a few minutes before moving to the next position, usually involving the head, front and back of the torso, knees and feet. A session usually lasts about an hour or an hour and a half.

I know it doesn't seem like much is going on, but Reiki practitioners are believed to have the ability and intuition to balance a person's life force energy. Not only does a Reiki session completely relax you (like you've just slept for 12 hours straight), but it can also be used to heal the body. I've experienced Reiki when I broke my thumb, and I swear, it helped relieve my pain.

Have any of you ever tried Reiki?

Wikipedia

Minutes to a Healthier You: Sing Your Heart Out

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Sometimes, we don't give enough credit to the little pleasures that can lower our stress levels and improve our quality of life. But if you like to sing, sing out. It's good for your overall health.

Throughout history and cultures, singing has been used as a way to express emotion and help people heal, and the same principles can be applied to our daily lives. Singing can help you relax, boost your mood, and open up your breathing passages. Other studies have linked singing to lowered blood pressure, while other research has shown that it can help people manage chronic pain.

So don't be afraid to sing in the shower, or wail along with your favorite song on the radio. At the very least, it will probably put you in a happier state of mind.

When You're Stressed Out, What's the First Thing to Go?

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0700

When you've got too much going on, something's gotta go. Unfortunately, we often sacrifice our healthiest habits in times of stress. When you're under pressure at work or in your personal life, what's the first thing you usually neglect?

How Does Stress Affect Your Weight?

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Former Bachelor and Dancing With the Stars contestant Melissa Rycroft isn't too concerned with the planning aspect of her wedding, but she's already thinking about her wedding-day physique. She told People, "I've heard the stress alone of planning a wedding helps you get into shape for it, so we'll see if I need to stress myself out a little bit to lose that extra pound!"

Stress has been known to have the opposite effect on some people who are more apt to put on stress-induced pounds. How does your body react?

Hump Day Biggest Day For Suicides

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

I'm sure you've all had a bad case of the Mondays, but it turns out the first day of the work week isn't as deadly as the middle. In a recent study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, almost 25 percent of reported suicides occurred on Wednesday as compared to 14 percent on Mondays or Saturdays, the two days with the second-highest suicide rates. The researchers think Wednesday suicides have to do with being stressed and overworked by the middle of the week, and people are wondering how they'll make it to Friday.

To learn some ways to deal with work-related stress and depression read more.

If you have a lot of job-related thoughts on your mind when you wake up, do some repetitive exercise or yoga to relieve your stress.
Start work a little earlier in the morning. With fewer people around and less distractions, you'll be able to concentrate and get a head start on your work load.
Make a to-do list every day to better manage your time. If you have a set list of things to do, you'll feel less overwhelmed.
Talk to your co-workers and bosses. If it's impossible to get your work done in the time expected, be honest about it.
Don't be superwoman. With so many people losing their jobs around you, it's understandable that you want to say yes to every work-related request. If you take on too much, the stress can become unbearable. It can also affect your immune system and lead to illness.
Take short breaks throughout your day. Go for a relaxing walk, grab a healthy snack, call a friend, listen to some music, or read a book. Do something that doesn't involve work so you can give your mind a break.
When you're not at work, unwind with a soothing bath, a cup of tea, or try your hand at meditation.
If your stress and depression are pushing you to thoughts of suicide, reach out to someone about it. Call 1-800-SUICIDE to get anonymous help, talk to a friend or family member, or make an appointment with a counselor.

5 Recession-Proof Ways to Relax

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Spa treatments and therapeutic massages are great ways to relax, but sometimes, the high price tag can work against the benefits. A lot of us need stress relief now more than ever, and thankfully there are plenty of cheap and easy ways to relax and relieve the tension. Here are five of my favorite recession-proof relaxation techniques.
Source

View Slideshow ›