Stress can be found in the faces of family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. I have seen perfect strangers with frantic looks on their faces. My heart goes out to them. I can share that I, too, have experienced forms of stress. As a local business owner, wife, mother and grandmother, I have stress points throughout the day. My overall health has been affected. You may have read in the past two articles that I have Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that specifically attacks my … [Read more...] about Eating During Stressful Times
stress
Coping with Stress
Stress is a natural part of life. The expressions are familiar to us: “I’m stressed out,” “I’m under too much stress,” or “Work is one big stress.” Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about and those around you become more resilient. Stress is hard to define because it means different things to different people; however, it’s clear that most stress is a negative feeling rather than a positive feeling. You may feel physical stress that is the result … [Read more...] about Coping with Stress
Understanding, Responding to Challenging Behaviors
The last year and a half has been difficult and stressful for everyone. Overnight, our lives were turned upside down and we were left to figure out how to navigate unknown territory. Families lost employment and income, there was uncertainty and fear, in-person contact with our support systems stopped and parents were dealing with stress and anxiety about how to take care their families. In a very short period of time, schools, daycares, community centers, sports, extracurricular activities and … [Read more...] about Understanding, Responding to Challenging Behaviors
Natural Ways to Manage Stress During the Holidays
The holiday season is a joyful time of year, but it can also be stressful, and this year that’s truer than ever. We’ve all got a lot on our plates these days, and it’s not turkey with extra stuffing. The following practices can help you manage stress as you navigate this unique holiday season. And the best part about these practices? They are simple enough to incorporate into your existing routine without having to dramatically adjust your day, which makes it more likely that you’ll enjoy and … [Read more...] about Natural Ways to Manage Stress During the Holidays
Simple Exercises for Combatting Stress
April is National Stress Awareness Month, which typically coincides with tax season, a notoriously stressful time of year for many. This year, the added stress of the coronavirus compounds the “normal” April stress. While it’s obvious that feeling stressed is unpleasant, it is also important to understand the toll that stress takes on our bodies, especially as we age. As we get older, our bodies have a harder time bouncing back from stress. We produce adrenaline and cortisol, which make our … [Read more...] about Simple Exercises for Combatting Stress
Living Stress Free During the Holidays
I was researching the topic of “stress free” during the holidays and came upon a 13-week holiday challenge. I began to chuckle, for we are only weeks away from Christmas. I didn’t have 13 weeks to figure out how to: be a better wife and mother, run my three businesses, manage the most beautiful venue in town, balance my volunteer hours, plan for a trip to Chicagoland, incorporate exercise, plan meals, play with my grandson, pray and honor God, keep up with social media, write out Christmas … [Read more...] about Living Stress Free During the Holidays
How Does Massage Reduce Stress?
We all know that certain types of constant stress in our lives are not healthy. But did you know that recent evidence indicates the physical changes associated with stress may contribute to the leading causes of death – heart disease and cancer? In addition, stress can create and/or exacerbate many physical and emotional conditions such as chronic fatigue, digestive upset, headaches, back pain, high blood pressure and risk of stroke. A recent study conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in … [Read more...] about How Does Massage Reduce Stress?
How Stress Affects Stroke Risk
“I was so stressed out, I thought I was going to have a stroke!” How many times have you heard someone say a version of the expression above? While it may often be said in jest, researchers have shown that the statement above may not be far from the truth. According to the American Heart Association, higher levels of stress, hostility or depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in middle-aged and older adults. A stroke occurs … [Read more...] about How Stress Affects Stroke Risk
Avoiding Stress Eating
Many things can contribute to your stress levels, such as holidays, work or everyday life. Stress in small amounts can be helpful because it temporarily increases energy production through your adrenal glands. Your body is not meant to be under chronic stress, however, and it can have serious side effects, including: Increasing your heart rate. Constricting your blood vessels and elevating your blood pressure. Keeping glucose in your bloodstream rather than storing it in your … [Read more...] about Avoiding Stress Eating
