Lower Your Stress and You'll Lower Your Weight
Stress causes weight gain and makes losing weight doubly
hard. Researchers can measure a person’s cortisol-stress-levels
through a simple saliva test. Some activities are better
than others for lowering stress. The verdict: Watching
television doesn’t lower cortisol levels, but yoga does.
In the following list, you’ll find activities that lower
your stress levels. You’re certain to find one or two that
work for you during stressful times. They’ll lift your moods
and make you forget you ever considered a cookie binge.
Get in Water
Take a bath, take a shower, get in the hot tub, or go
swimming. It warms up every pore on your body’s largest
organ, the skin, and relaxes the muscles.
Get Warm
When physically chilled or cold, we’re likely to eat more
starches. Don’t add pounds in winter to get warmer. Instead,
wear warm clothes, put on your flannel PJs, get under the
down comforter, and sip on a cup of warm herbal or
decaffeinated tea.
Get in the
Sunshine
You need 20 minutes of sunlight a day to elevate your
mood and help your hormones work ideally. If you live in
cloudy or northern parts of the country, consider purchasing
a
Light Box to give you bright rays in rain, snow, or
clouds. For your 20 minutes of sun therapy a day, don’t wear
your sunglasses. Your eyes need the light to boost hormonal
activity and elevate your moods. Of course, never look
directly at the sun; instead, simply sit, walk, garden, or
relax.
Dry Brush
Your Body
Purchase a natural-bristle from the drugstore or
a discount store. With long strokes, dry brush your body. It
lifts your mood, feels great, and helps to detox the body.
Dry brush before you shower in the morning or at any time of
day when you feel a need to de-stress.
Brush Your
Hair
To brush your hair, bend over from the waist and brush
so that you can feel the bristles on your scalp. Brush
enthusiastically for a minute or so and then stand up. Your
scalp will tingle as though you are massaging your brain
chemicals directly.
The Back
Roller Rolls Away Your Stress
Our favorite
back roller is made of wood and looks
like a rolling pin with waves in it. The waves correspond to
your spine and to the erector muscles on either side of your
spine. Use as directed. Within 15 minutes, you’ll be relaxed
and detoxed with your spine properly aligned.
Have a
Ball on a Ball
Body rolling is incomparable for deep muscle
relaxation and realignment. We love body rolling first for
relaxation. However, we have noticed improved posture and
less cellulite by using our
favorite body rolling balls.
Sing Away
Your Stress
Sing along with your favorite tunes and you'll smile away
your worries. A good voice is optional!
Hobbies, Games, and Unstressful Sports
Hobbies and games that allow us to focus on something
enjoyable to us will lower stress.
Exercise Regularly
Almost any form of exercise will lower your stress, which
makes exercise a doubly effective way to los weight.
To learn more, read
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Healthy
Weight Loss. To order,
click here.