Are you feeling stressed, having trouble sleeping, sleeping less than you need, not handling stress as well as you should or could? Then read on and discover some tips to help you break the cycle that may be exacerbated even further by a few extra things to finish by deadlines and the heat.
Try these 5 tips:
- Eat well – keep it simple. 5 vegetable serves, 2 fruit serves, good quality protein, small handful serves of raw nuts/seeds (only whole grains if you’re having them) quinoa, buckwheat, rye (not light rye options), oat (not instant), spelt, brown rice. This gives your body the fuel it needs to stay alert and the ability to cope far better than inflammatory convenience processed foods.
- Move, daily, and regularly during the day. This prepares and keeps you mind and body alert and able to focus on the events of the day.
- Sip away the stress – increasing your caffeine intake and/or indulgence in alcohol to wind down at the end of the day/week may sound like simple ways to manage this time of year, BUT….. both are shown to disrupt sleep quality which will feed this cycle. Instead try sipping on a cold or warm brew of tea that is lower in caffeine.
Sometimes the process of making a cup of tea can be therapeutic in itself.
Try:
- Peppermint or spearmint
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Green tea (in the morning, up to 3 per day)
- Basic mindfulness. Whenever you feel rushed or overwhelmed, learn to chill, or even better, practice basic mindfulness as a regular part of your day. You will find 2 minutes or 20 minutes will be helpful.
Follow these 4 simple steps:
- Sit comfortably and begin to relax
- Pay attention to your body – how it feels. Recognise any tension, physical sensations and emotions. Think about what your senses are receiving – how do your feet feel on the floor, can you feel a breeze on your skin……
- Observe your mind – acknowledge the thoughts that cross your mind as they come and go with curiosity – like clouds or passing cars. Let each thought go, bringing your focus back to the physical sensations of the current moment.
- Breathe – notice your breath.
- Ask for support Asking for support can be helpful if things you are trying are not working as well as you had hoped. Seeing your practitioner can give you the right support and direction to get you on track for getting through this ‘silly season’. If time is your biggest restraint, ask about an acute consultation.
We are here to support you to good health. Phone us at Springwood: (07) 3808 8624 or at Eaton’s Hill: (07) 3325 5512, and get the support you are looking for.
With thanks to Bioconcepts for helping with content for this blog.