FitSugar

Are You Stressed Out Because Your Significant Other Hasn't Proposed Yet?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Being in a relationship with someone you love is a wonderful thing. The love you feel is so powerful, and the unconditional support you share helps you to be better people. When you're in a relationship for a long time, and you feel strongly about that person, you're bound to think "When will we get engaged?"

Others are bound to think that too, especially your close friends and family. You can feel a lot of pressure when people are constantly asking, "So...When are you two going to get engaged?" It doesn't really help the situation and can make you extremely anxious.

Are you totally in love with your significant other, and are anxious because he hasn't popped the question yet? Here are some tips to help you relax.

Tell your friends and family to back off - Politely tell them that you feel strongly about where your relationship is going, and if anything happens, they'll be the first to know.
Talk to your significant other - If you really are doubting how he's feeling about you, and whether he wants to spend the rest of his life with you, chatting about it will set your mind at ease.
Exercise - Releasing all that energy will help release stress and tension, not to mention, it'll keep you in shape so when you do get engaged, you'll feel good about trying on wedding gowns.

Want to see the other tips? Then read more

Go away for the weekend with some girlfriends - There's nothing like a little female bonding time. Plus, a new place will give you a new perspective, and we all know that distance makes the hard grow fonder.
Get a massage - Treat yourself to some hands-on relief. A massage will relax your muscles and your mind, and get the issue of an engagement out of your head.
Talk to a Therapist - They are professional listeners, and they don't know you or your history, so they won't make any judgments. Sometimes it's just nice to get your feelings out, and for someone to hear what you're going through.

Fit's Tips: These are just some ideas to help you de-stress. Whatever you do, don't lose hope. A secret proposal could be in your not-to-distant future, so if you know in your heart that someday you'll get engaged, enjoy the time you have together, and be excited for what's to come. Plus, dealing with all this stress now will be great practice for when you're married, and people start pressuring you with "So...When are you going to have kids?"

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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.

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.

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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 . . .

Competitive Stress: Are You Playing the Game?

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:15:00 -0800

Are you so stressed that you can't do a single thing but talk about how stressed you are?

These days, as it turns out, to be way stressed out is to be way successful. The name of the game is not who is at the top of the food chain, but who got there with the absolute most stresses and hassles possible. If you see one guy on the bus who is playing games on his iPod and the guy next to him is screaming profanities about buying and selling to his broker, society would determine the latter to be more successful.

Instead of playing the game and convincing everyone around you that you are the most stressed out person of the bunch, take a deep breath and focus on something else. Instead of focusing on how stressed you are, do things to actually relax yourself: Take a bath, do meditation, read a good book or take your dog for a walk. Whatever you do, stay out of competitive stress conversations because if you really are as stressed as you are trying to sound, these conversations only make it worse.

Raise Adrenaline, Lower Stress

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Do you ever wonder why people are hooked on roller coasters or even sky diving? Well maybe they're trying to ward off stress in their everyday lives. It's more logical than it sounds. New research shows that intense exercise releases stress hormones, including adrenaline, and the resulting buzz can buffer you from future stress in other domains. Getting that adrenaline kick is not controlled so much by what it is you're doing (i.e. I get a rush from not coming to a full stop at a stop sign), but whether or not you're taking a step outside your comfort zone. So here are three ways to boost your buzz and fight stress:

Push your limits. Workout-wise, it's not enough just to take your Schwinn out for a spin around the park. The track has to be unpredictable and even slightly dangerous (that means riding off-road, hitting the steep downhill trails), according to the Texas A&M study. You want to feel that surge of adrenaline when you crest a hill and see the path fall suddenly away.

And although it's a big part of it, we're not just talking about pushing your physical limits. Putting yourself through the paces of mentally challenging situations -- like giving an important speech while gazing out over a sea of strange faces, or tackling an intimidating new project at work -- can also trigger the same stress response and protect your brain against future freak-outs.
Go for active relaxation. No, that's not an oxymoron. The traditional approaches to winding down -- meditation, deep breathing, a round of tequila shots -- can certainly take the edge off stress. But getting your adrenaline pumping is going to require a little more action than that. Consider weight lifting: Even though it's low impact, if you give it 120 percent and continue working toward improving your bench press, you'll get a jolt of your power hormone.
Buddy up. Maintaining the flow of dopamine and endorphins is what keeps your stress response in check during pressure-cooker situations. If peering down from the side of Mount Kilimanjaro doesn't sound like an ideal Saturday afternoon, enlist a friend as your climbing buddy and start small. Research shows that working out with a pal helps distract you from negative cues and keeps you focused on the fact that what you're doing is insanely fun.

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Why the Simple Act of Breathing Helps Fight Stress

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:30:01 -0800

Even Time Magazine knows that breathing can help stress. Want to know why? When you exhale your heart rate slows down. OK so when you inhale it speeds back up again, but that is why in various breathing and stress management techniques you let the air out of your lungs slowly.

Stress can whack out your immune system and age you prematurely. So it is important to figure out how to deal with it. Slowing your heart rate down helps to calm you down. So remember to breathe. Air is free so why not take advantage of it.

Take a moment to practice, right now. Inhale a generous amount of air and slowly release it for 8 counts. Repeat as needed.

Stressed Out? Get Out

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 14:30:00 -0800

When I am feeling overwhelmed and anxious, I find that it is best to get away from what is causing the stress. I like to get out. It seems simple. It seems like common sense but it can be really challenging to do. Next time you are feeling stressed, I urge you to walk away from your computer and head outside. Or to the lobby of the office building. Or at least to the bathroom. Just walk away from it all for a little bit. Clear your mind and come back to those darn issues with a new attitude.

If you can get outside, talk a walk around the block. Focus on your breath to help calm your mind. A little fresh air always helps the body and the 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?

5 Easy Ways to Manage Cortisol, the Stress Hormone

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Cortisol is a hormone that's recruited to regulate blood pressure and the immune system when the body is experiencing physical or emotional stress. Constant stress can cause our bodies to overproduce the hormone, and instead of helping to balance our bodies, cortisol can cause sleep problems, leave us vulnerable to infection, induce blood sugar abnormalities, and lead to abdominal weight gain.

In its February issue, Prevention magazine describes solutions for managing cortisol, and these options are all doable with little effort (so you don't become even more stressed about having time to manage your stress hormone!).

Sip some black tea: "When volunteers were given a stressful task, the cortisol levels of those who were regular black-tea drinkers fell by 47 percent within an hour of completing the assignment, while others who drank fake tea experienced only a 27 percent drop."
Hang out with a funny friend: "Simply anticipating laughter is enough to reduce cortisol levels by nearly half." Prevention notes that a funny DVD could do the trick, too.
Make a great iPod mix: "Music can have a calming effect on the brain, especially while you're facing a major stressor." Prevention suggests playing background music when hosting a stressful dinner for your in-laws and listening to something soothing at bedtime.

To see two more ways to manage cortisol, read more.

Say "om": "Subjects who practiced Buddhist meditation significantly decreased both cortisol and blood pressure in a 6-week Thai study."
Hit the sack early - or take a nap: According to Shawn Talbott, author of The Cortisol Connection, the difference between getting six hours and eight hours of sleep is 50 percent more cortisol in the bloodstream. Prevention offers a reassuring tidbit: "When you fall short of the mark, take a nap the next day [to cut cortisol levels]."

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