Ways to Handle Stress & Be Happy & Healthy

Do you find that as this time of year approaches, everything seems to move faster and that same 24 just isn’t enough? We are already such a busy bunch, so adding in anything extra to that to-do list can make things too stressful. While exercise is beneficial in many ways, there are other key elements to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here is a clue: work to live, don’t live to work.

Yes, of course we all have to work, but what do we do with our downtime (I know everyone has some at some point). Some watch t.v., others go out with friends, shopping (this one’s getting tougher to do), while the rest sit web-browsing on the net. All these activities are commonplace among us, but are we finding the serenity and healthful-happiness that we all have strived to achieve? Sometimes it’s the little things we overlook that can make our lives easier.

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Prolonged sleep deprivation can take a punishing toll on almost every part of your body. For some of us every night is tossing and turning as we wait to drift off. We begin to dread bedtimes because bedtimes meant hours of anxiety because we just can’t fall sleep. We are so tired by morning we lack the strength to carry out our usual chores effectively. With this tiredness can be stress and resultant ill health. Good health and mental well being demands the right balance of food, drink, laughter, exercise and according to controversial wisdom eight hours sleep. Some people can benefit from far less sleep than the recommended eight hours.

So you have cooled your bedroom, had a warm bath and gulped down your warm milk, gone through your relaxation ritual, counted sheep and you still cannot sleep. What do you do next?

According to controversial wisdom we are meant to spend a third of our lives asleep but for those who struggle to get a decent nights rest, it does not feel like it. Half of adults have symptoms of insomnia at any given time and causes are various – from hormonal to event related stress and anxiety.

If you have trouble dropping off at night start scrutinising your days. Sleep problems often happen because of stress or anxiety so be ware of where the problem is coming from and try to find a solution to it, but do not rule out simpler issues either. It might be an external noise, eating too late or eating the wrong types of food in the evening. You must ensure that your body gets the right amount of sleep it needs. Learn more : http://www.sleeptracks.com/go.php?offer=persevere1&pid=arb

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“Coping with Life Stresses in College”

Stress is something that all college students may endure during their college experience. There are many books to read, long hours of studying, the temptation of attending parties, or simply the need to show up for numerous classes. Many students are just now learning the art of making decisions and of handling difficult situations on their own. The aspect of attending college can be stressful. As part of that aspect, there are regular daily activities that have to be done. One of the largest causes of stress can include time management; and, for students who are also working adults/single parents, stress can be a lot worse.

Many college students today often have a persistent problem with time management. As society and technology continue to grow, the faster our lives become. The hustle and bustle of attending classes; working to have an income in a declining economy; and, for some, having a family, can put a strain on students. I know this, because I was once one of those students who were juggling every minute of the day to complete my many tasks. With all of these things going on in our minds, stress begins to come in and establish a home within us.

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Sometimes I long for the old days. The days when people still had time. Father went to his job and mom stayed at home. Nowadays we never have enough time anymore. We are busy and we are stressed. But sometimes I remember how it used to be. I found three easy ways to solve stress.

Like many of us I am a working mom. I used to rush cooking the food for my family. I used to get stressed and rush housecleaning. My mind already thinking about what is next to do. I know now that is not the right way. It gave me even more stress.

So, here is my first way to solve stress. Take time to cook dinner. Maybe you cook hastily and you are happy when dinner is ready. This is my advice: Change your attitude and start to love cooking. It is important to keep your mind on what you are doing. You may have to learn this again. Look at the food. Look at the knife. Force yourself to keep your mind on the food. If you find that difficult, visualize the journey your food has made before it reached your kitchen. See how the vegetables were growing in sunshine and rain. Teach yourself to keep your thoughts on what you are doing.

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When most couples get married, there are few negative thoughts that will enter their minds; least of all is substance abuse. Most believe that when they get married, they will generally have a good marriage. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many marriages will suffer difficulties, including problems with substance abuse. People change over time, so it is not always something that can be predicted, but it can happen. Stresses build, life becomes darker and this is where substance abuse can enter. It may not be noticed at first, but it will be when it becomes a full addiction that changes the husband’s or wife’s behavior, attitude and personality. When this does happen, it can leave the spouse without the addiction unsure of what to do next.

Can they help their partner? Should they leave or would that be wrong? How much is too much to put up with? They love this person, they care for them, but they don’t think they can keep going through it; would it be selfish to leave the spouse who refuses to change and live their own life? These are just four examples of the many questions that enter one’s mind. There is also the fear that can play into the situation, depending on what they feel they have to lose if they leave their addicted spouse. The fear involved can also depend on how verbally and/or physically abusive the spouse with the addiction can be. There is also the concern of the children, if there are any, especially if they are younger children under the age of twelve because they are incredibly impressionable during their younger years.

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When aIl this started, I never realized what I would have to go through. So, I have decided to tell you what I’ve discovered these many years in the hope that it can help you in some way.

Unfortunately, I have no guaranty of a cure, but maybe I can provide some help and some insight.

Recently, at a presentation in California,. a researcher from the Mayo Clinic confirmed that MS is not an autoimmune disease, and there is also a high probability that it is not caused by a virus or bacteria.

Indications pointed towards a biochemical imbalance causing sensitivities to some environmental combination. This, to me, could explain all the different levels and types of disability progression.

They got vague on whether it’s possibly triggered by artificially fertilized foods lacking critical nutrients, pollution not readily noticed, such as mercury, or carbon dioxide the electromagnetic radiation emitted by all of the technology permeating our airwaves, such as from televisions, computers, cell phones. etc.

Whatever the cause, they narrowed one aspect down to growing up away from the equator. The farther away you were while growing up, the greater the chance you might get

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It is getting colder outside, and it means it is time to incorporate more soups in our cooking routine. Here are eight reasons / ingredients for making a simple squash soup to feel and look fabulous.

Ingredients:

2 – 3 pounds butternut or acorn squash

2 tbs olive oil

medium onion chopped

2 carrots

2 cups vegetable stock

salt and pepper.

sour cream

turmeric

2 tbs fresh cilantro / parsley / dill or all above

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Are You Doomed To Poor Sleep?

You were not born with insomnia and you did not suffer insomnia when you were 10 years old; it just sneaked up on you later on in life due to stress, or an illness or you cultivating sleep destroying habits. The good news is you can regain your healthy sleep pattern.

Have you had insomnia for such a long time that you now consider it as being part of who you are, have you condemned your self to sleepless nights forever?

Even after just a few nights of sleeplessness we start to wonder anxiously if we will ever sleep normally ever again. The problem is, if you are convinced you are doomed to sleeping poorly, you will sleep poorly.

When sleep is concerned, the mind is king, and the belief that you can’t sleep and are doomed to poor sleep leads to helplessness, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

You were not born with insomnia and there is no reason why you should live with it. You did not suffer insomnia when you were 10 years old; it just sneaked up on you later on in life due to stress, or an illness or you cultivating sleep destroying habits.

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I watched my brother and sister struggle to quit smoking.

I was raised in a non-smoking home and though I had a few relatives who smoked by and large most of my family didn’t. However – my younger brother became a two pack a day smoker and smoked till the day he died. Incidentally he died at age 61 – way pre-mature – with every health related problem you can mention. My sister, the youngest of us, is still puffing away, even though she has had double- pneumonia twice, has COPD and is on oxygen 24 hours a day. Do you have any idea just how dangerous it is to smoke around an open oxygen bottle? She has convinced herself that she can’t quit and has given up. How sad!

I was talking to a friend of mine a few years back who smoked and I asked him why he smoked. He told me that he enjoyed it. He enjoyed something that will for sure shorten his life by 10 to 12 years. Something that will destroy his lungs and heart. Something that contributes to all kinds of organ failure (yes that’s true), that damages your skin and eyes, and Oh Yes – makes you stink! I forgot – it’s also proven to damage a man’s virility. As a man, that’s reason enough by itself not to smoke!

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Many times a person who decides to quit smoking will experience stress
and of course the temptation to “just have one”, or they tell themselves “Just one won’t hurt me”. Of course if you follow this trail long enough you will never kick the habit. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that no one understands what we are going through. My recommendation is have a buddy to confide in when the temptation strikes. And some times a person even with the aid of the best hypnosis program on the market will experience slight problems with breaking this habit.

If you slip up and have a cigarette or two, it isn’t the end of the world. “Cheating” or lighting up once over a cup of coffee doesn’t need put you back on the road to a pack a day. Refocus on your goal – being nicotine free! Remind yourself that quitting is hard. Just like anything that’s difficult, you may not get it right immediately. Figure out what caused you to smoke, and learn from it.

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