Stress Management

What is your stress response?

August 25, 2015 Stress Management

Have you ever thought how stress affects your health? Stress weakens our immune system & can derail so many of our health initiatives like eating vegetables, exercising consistently, & sleeping soundly. We have to take action in dealing with stress: thoughts, emotions, schedule, environment, & unexpected occurrences. We may not be able to control the situation but we can control our reaction! We must learn to take care of ourselves & make time for rest & relaxation. The more effective your stress management is the better you will feel!

Failure is What Enables Us to Strive

August 19, 2015 Stress Management

A little thought on this Wednesday morning for you! One of my favorite quotes is “fail forward.” To overcome life’s barriers and succeed within our own personal health vision we must act, fail, and act again with determination to take the right actions that will lead to the results we desire.

Get Out of the Pool it is Time for School!

August 5, 2015 Recipes, Stress Management

Oh my goodness it is hard to believe it is August already & many kids go back to school this week! When I think of school—routine & planning ahead are at the forefront. Back to school shopping typically gets kids excited to go back—so this year focus on increasing enthusiasm for healthy actions: •Buy new tennis shoes to encourage movement •Buy new lunch box to encourage healthy eating •Buy new fun book to read to encourage earlier bed times So let’s strategize to ease the morning stress!

Less is More….

June 17, 2015 Stress Management

Sometimes in life less is more. What an interesting thought as we always gravitate towards bigger is better. Status sometimes is determined by how many tasks we have to do or how busy we are. Restaurants serve larger proportions than … Continued

Preparation for a Family Gathering!

June 11, 2015 Nutrition, Stress Management

So it is a little over a week till Father’s Day and guess what….I am hosting! We have a lake home that is near and very peaceful. So when our family gets together and stress comes along for the ride, … Continued

Balance of Healthy Food & Travel!

May 27, 2015 Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management

Travel and weight management can be extremely challenging to balance and keep in check. One meal can ruin all our diligent work we have done throughout the week. We don’t have as much control over food choices as we do … Continued

Laugh to Lighten Your Stress Load!

April 30, 2015 Stress Management

Most people enjoy being around those who make them smile and laugh, simply because those actions are enjoyable. When someone else laughs we typically reciprocate and join in the fun. Did you know that laughing could be one of the best remedies to relax? Laughing makes the whole body relaxed. After laughing for several minutes, your body will maintain a more relaxed feel for 45 minutes! Keep reading to learn stress management effects of laughing.

“If Only….”

April 21, 2015 Stress Management

Have you ever thought about how many times you say “if only….”? You fill in the blank with the rest. “If only I lose 20lbs. I will be happy.” If only I can fit into those jeans again, my husband will find me attractive.” If only – if only – if only, these “if onlys” make our desires and dreams so far reaching. These sorts of statements make us feel inferior. If we feel inferior we lose our confidence to actually make the change we want!

Don’t Let Spring Showers Stop YOU From Blooming in Health!

April 13, 2015 Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress Management

Now that we have begun the month of April, spring breaks and spring showers have arrived! This means grass will turn green, flowers will bloom, and cleaning will be put on the to-do list. However, spring rains can slide any healthy routine into mud! Here are several strategies to make the sun shining within your daily actions to be most productive. •Make a list. Write down the items you want to accomplish throughout this spring to clean your environment and become more organized. Choose the best method to write it down and continually see it: phone, journal, or paper stuck to the fridge. I can only remember something if I handwrite it so you will see my notebook full of lists I want to achieve.

The Prize is the Process not the Outcome!

March 15, 2015 Stress Management

I talk so much about making health a lifestyle. However, life is always evolving. When it come to health we all have our goals like losing 20 pounds, running a 5K, or having extra energy to chase 4 kids. However, the goal or outcome is not the ultimate prize. The prize is the process! It's not the outcome that we need to focus on week after week, it's the actions and barriers we are overcoming right now. These barriers are what weighs us down hour after hour. If we focus on the journey of creating healthier actions, we overcome our barriers and the end goal just happens. The end goal becomes the byproduct which allows us to maintain it so much more easily. The outcome can burn us out, frustrate us if we don't see it early enough, or worst case is make us feel like failures.