Hello Lovelies!
I wanted to share with you a story. As you know, I am a Health & Wellness Coach and my clients are those experiencing high stress in their lives. I love offering tips and action steps to handle stressful situations better and how to manage any stressful situation easily. Well, even a Health and Wellness Coach can get stressed, overwhelmed and out of whack. Hey, we are all busy, all trying to keep up with “all the things”, juggling all the balls, fighting traffic and attempting to keep our family and pets alive at the same time. Is it any wonder there might be some stress?
Are you feeling me here?
Many times, I have had to stop and tune back into myself. Luckily, I have found many ways to “re-center” myself and focus in on keeping myself healthy and happy. Yes, I put myself first. Not always, but I’m learning to do so more often. When you put yourself first, You are then able to have more energy to give to others. It is when you put other people’s needs ahead of my own all the time that you can feel burnt out and drained.
Now, taking time for you may sound selfish, it may seem like it takes a lot of time, it may seem like it isn’t important. You may really enjoy putting others first. I get it…but let me dispel those myths.
Taking time for you IS important. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. And it is in no way, shape or form selfish. And yes, you can and should put others first –because it can make you happy to do so, but it shouldn’t be draining you.
Here are some quick tips to help you eat foods that might lower your stress. Learn how to use these foods and take some time for yourself. As a result – Thrive – because you are re-charged with energy. When you are invigorated, you want to share that energy with others or you will be able to focus on the task at hand.
EAT: Here are my go to foods when I am stressed out. Black Tea, Avocado, Spinach, Almonds, oranges and Fatty Fish
LEARN: Make a nice lunch with the stress buster ingredients: 2 cups Spinach. ¼ Avocado chopped, ½ orange peeled and segmented, and sprinkling of sliced almonds. Toss them all together in a bowl. Adding some grilled or wild caught canned Salmon to your salad is an extra stress buster and as a bonus would boost your Omega 3’s. Make a quick dressing of 1 ½ TBS olive oil, 1TBS balsamic vinegar, a dash of Italian seasonings, salt, pepper mixed well. Drizzle on your salad. Enjoy with a nice cup of black tea!
THRIVE: Taking even 5 minutes for yourself can help you re-center and re-focus. Set a timer on your smart phone for 5 minutes. Get comfortable in your chair. Close your eyes. Take several slow deep breaths in, hold the breath for a few seconds and slowly release the breath. Repeat about 10 times. As you are taking these breaths, clear your mind and focus in on you. Calm your mind. Feel the breaths. If it helps- (either out loud or to yourself) say on the in breath –“I am”. On the hold breath say “completely”. On the exhale say “Relaxed and centered”. Open your eyes. How do you feel? Are you calm? Are you ready to take on the project? See-only five minutes and you are back in your game.
Feel embarrassed about doing this at your desk or where people might see you? I have been known to take this time in the bathroom, in my car or in a stairwell. Find a quiet place and make it yours for 5 minutes.
For lots of other great tips – check out my website and follow me on Facebook. Eatlearnthrive.com or on Twitter @eatlearnthrive
Hope you day is filled with wonderful things.
Until next time-
To your thriving life, health and happiness!
Blair