Catch Your Breath: Tips for Stress Relief


 

Hi and happy Feel-Good Monday!


This is where we share our favorite tips, tricks, secrets, and ways to "think like a healthy person" so that you can find your own delicious path to healthy living.

"Feel-Good Mondays" are meant to help us get back into that place of feeling energized, nourished, and ready to take inspired action for the week ahead.  


Are you breathing? I mean, really breathing? Deeply inhaling, thoroughly exhaling? Chances are you’re doing the minimal amount of breathing necessary to keep you alive right now, but my guess is that you're probably not taking the extremely beneficial, deep belly breaths that can reduce your stress levels, energize you, and boost your mood.

Relaxing over a cup of tea in a local cafe – one of my favorite ways to de-stress.

Don’t worry – I forget to focus on my breath most of the time too. But I’m working on that, since more evidence keeps coming out that shows that focused, intentional breathing can have amazing health benefits. I learned a specific, super easy breathing exercise from Dr. Andrew Weil when he taught at my nutrition school many years ago. It's called "4-7-8" breath and we've shared it with many of our clients over the years. Whenever I remember, I try to incorporate this deep breathing throughout my day: a couple of these breaths when the alarm clock goes off; another few in the shower; while waiting for the subway; when I'm lying in bed at night. 

You can check out Dr. Weil’s article on the health benefits of breathing, as well as instructions to do the breathing exercise I mentioned above here: The Art and Science of Breathing

In addition to focusing on the breath, there are lots of other wonderful techniques that can help you relax, chill out, become present, and boost your health and well-being. And I thoroughly enjoy exploring those techniques! I recently had an awesome "vibroacoustic" session at Tournesol Wellness in NYC. Not familiar with vibroacoustics? Neither was I! Turns out it's a combination of vibration set to music that helps to completely relax the nervous system, reduce pain, and boost the immune system. It was a pure delight and I left Tournesol delightfully calm, floating, and zen-like. 

Lastly, you know I can't write to you without talking about food…and indeed, the foods we eat have a huge impact on our  mood and anxiety levels. Blood sugar swings can lead to increased anxiety, reduced focus, and leave us feeling on edge. Check out the article I was guest expert for in Redbook Magazine on Foods That Reduce Stress for some easy takeaways you can incorporate into your daily diet. 
 

You can feel good every day, and we're here to support you

Love,

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