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How does Stress effect health? There are countless studies that show that stress can cause health problems. So when you are practicing the stress management techniques detailed throughout this web-site, you will be helping to improve your health. Conversely, we you do things to promote a healthy mind and body, you are also lessening your stress. But how do you combat the effects of stress on your imune system when you are so stressed out to begin with?
There are several things you can do straight off the bat:
Sleep and Health
Exercise for Success
The thing about exercise is that it makes you sweaty. So if you are an adult, you don’t just need to schedule exercise time but you need to schedule for a cool down and shower afterwards. I really think that is part of what trips so many people up. It is not just the exercise itself but the time “window” required for the after exercise rituals.
Picture this: you have somehow blocked out 1 hour and 15 minutes for exercise but you are 15 minutes behind schedule. What do you do? I know that there were many times when I just nixed the whole thing. I mean just thinking about rushing back to the office all sweaty and hot and gulping down something at my desk versus having an extra hour to enjoy a leisurely lunch and unwind from a stressful morning. Hum, what to choose…
In reality if I had chosen the exercise, I would have relieved the stress and felt good about myself for doing it but…
We are all human and busy and we have so many conflicting responsibilities. We all know the reasons to exercise and we enjoy the benefits when we do exercise but …
So here are some tips to help from the queen of “but…”
- Exercise in the morning – get up a little early, jump out of bed and exercise. Think about your goals and start the day on a positive note. There is no better way to start out in the morning. (“Sexercise” is also good but still do your walking afterwards.)
- Exercise with a friend if possible. We fat people hate to let others down. It really helps get you going if you know someone else is counting on you to be there.
- Have many alternate exercise plans. If you walk in the morning, have an exercise tape or jump rope lined up as a back up in case of rain or snow.
- Chart your progress in distance, stamina, weight, or inches.
- Reward yourself. (Not just with chocolate).
- Give yourself a day off from time to time.
- Put a skinny, healthy picture of yourself on the refrigerator and spend time each day visualizing a healthy sexy you.
- If exercise is going to make you late, then go ahead and be late.
- Be sure to smile a lot.
Finally, don’t ever give up. Take it day by day and remember that when exercising, anything is better than nothing.
Sleep
I was reading in Prevention Magazine that people who get 7-8 hours of sleep a night stay slimmer then those who don’t get enough sleep. Well doesn’t that beat all! Those lucky moms with the husbands, nannies, and maids actually have an easier time staying thin then those of us who get by on less sleep. They probably have time to go to the gym as well.
- by Jeanne Russell
(c) Jeanne Russell - All Rights reserved
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