Posts Tagged ‘Stress relief’

Boost Self Esteem with Exercise

Monday, February 14th, 2011
A healthier you

A healthier you

If you are feeling down and unmotivated, get moving! Feeling good is a complex psychological, physical and hormonal balance. Getting your heart pumping blood to your brain releases feel good hormones and along with weight loss, more oxygen, toned muscles you look AND feel better. One of the lesser known benefits of exercise shown in several studies is that physical activity increases self-confidence, which increased energy and reduced depression.

Exercise also enhances self efficacy which is your beliefs in your capabilities. Self-efficacy lessens the effects of stressful life events lifting depressive symptoms and lessening fatigue. Physical activity can also improve your sense of well-being. Researchers from the University of Illinois suggest physical activity can increase self-confidence and feelings of accomplishment to reduce levels of depression and fatigue. Studies examined the possible involvement of self-esteem in boosting mood and energy. One study focused on 192 breast cancer survivors, while the other focused on 292 individuals with multiple sclerosis. In both studies, before and after questionnaires indicated physical activity had a direct effect on self-confidence, which increased energy and reduced depression. The reasons for this connection were not completely understood. It was found that when individuals exercise, they feel a sense of accomplishment or level of achievement and a happier mood increases energy.

You too can use exercise to boost your self-esteem and accomplishment and enhance your energy and mood. To stay motivated, choose and activity your enjoy, recruit your children or friends to join you, and try a variety of activities in different setting such as outdoors, a gym, home, mall walking or be creative. It’s inexpensive yet the benefits are quite valuable. To find out the type, duration and frequency of exercise that is safe and effective for you, have an evaluation by a doctor who understands metabolism and antiaging medicine, the length and quality of your life can be much better.

Stress Less – Tips for a Healthy Holiday

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

‘Tis the season, making the list, checking it twice, some people are naughty, some are nice and most are caught up in the do more, see more, have more, go more, eat more, drink more and stress more mentality. Holidays can be hell if you let them. Here are some of my favorite survival tips to help you thrive and enjoy the holiday season.

STRESS – Less

• Try making room for relaxation and cross some things off of your To Do list

• Do you really need to decorate to the fullest extent possible or can you do with a more moderate, toned down holiday décor?

• Simplify your gift giving; shop locally to support local merchants who are struggling in this economy. The experience can be less time consuming and more personal. Do you want to live in a town where all of the shops are empty?

• Shop online, buy gift cards or personalize items, which can make something ordinary, extraordinary.

Stuffed and Overindulged
• Pour smaller glasses of wine and other beverages and linger longer over them to avoid over drinking

• Use a small plate and choose some lower calorie food to fill up on and limit the amount of high fat, high sugar indulgences

• Choose to go to the parties where you will have the best time and don’t feel obligated to accept every invitation

• If you get too many invitations, ask to push some off until after the holidays or the New Year. Let the good times roll into the New Year when post holiday blues may set in

Take Care of Yourself

Find time to exercise

• Relax and meditate on a daily basis even if it’s only for 5 minutes

• Laugh and enjoy your family and friends

Happy Holidays