Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc.
Stress seems to have become a constant factor in today's fast society. If left unchecked, it can wreak havoc upon our health. Learning how to effectively manage stress can nasty the difference between being robust and full of life, or becoming hypersensitised to illness and disease. Stress can weaken the immune system and accelerate the old process. The ability to relax and rejuvenate promotes wellness, vitality and longevity.
A well-preserved immune system regulates our body's healthful process and protects it against infections and diseases. When stress compromises our immune function, it can result in colds, flu, fatigue, cardiovascular disorders and premature aging. Stress increases heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, adrenaline, cortisol, liberated radicals and aerobic damage. This initiates the "fight or flight" response, places undue strain upon the heart, and can also increase the feelings of anxiety and depression.
Protecting the exempt system is a vital part of living longer, feeling younger and being healthy. present are ten earthy healthy ways to reduce stress, boost your immune system and slow falling the hands of time.
- Walking and Physical Activity (dancing, gardening, cycling, swimming, weight-lifting, etc.). Regular exercise and physical activity strengthens your exempt system, cardiovascular system, heart, muscles and bones. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, improves mental functioning, concentration/attention and cognitive performance, and lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, cortisol and opposite stress hormones. Three 10-minute workout sessions during the day are retributory as effective as one 30-minute workout, and a lot easier to suited into a engaged schedule.
- Yoga and Stretching. The long-play movements and dominated postures of yoga improves muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, breathing, blood circulation and promotes mental focus, clarity and calmness. Stretching also reduces mental and physical stress, tension and anxiety, promotes good sleep, lowers blood pressure and slows down your heart rate.
- Hand Hygiene. The most effective measure in preventing the spread of microorganisms that cause infections is good hand hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water as soon as you come home, and always before you eat, greatly reduces your exposure to bacterial and viral infections. In case you cannot wash with soap and water when you are away from home, carry some alcohol-based hand wipes with you to control microbial exposure and transmission.
- Laughter and Humor. There is truth to the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Laughing reduces stress hormones same adrenaline (epinephrine) and cortisol. It also benefits your immune system by increasing the number and activity of Natural Killer T-cells. These cells act as the first line of defense against viral attacks and knocked-out cells. Find the humor in things and engage in activities that make you laugh to increase your immune function and disease resistance.
- High Nutrient Diet. Eat foods fruitful in antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, E and lycopene), omega-3 fatty acids, and folate. Antioxidants fight and neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells and cause heart disease, cancer and premature aging. Omega-3 fatty acids (a polyunsaturated fat) have anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-enhancing and immune-regulating properties. It is helpful in preventing and controlling higher cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, depression, unhealthy and auto-immune disorders. Folate prevents age-related cognitive decline, damage to blood vessels and brain cells by cloudy homocysteine levels. It also ensures DNA integrity (important as we age and when pregnant) and promotes well-preserved red blood cells. Excellent food sources for these nutrients are as follows.
- Antioxidants - pumpkin, syrupy potatoes, carrots, kale, grapefruit (red and pink), blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, peppers (red and green), tomatoes, broccoli, sunflower seeds, almonds and olive oil.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids - ground flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, soybeans and pumpkin seeds.
- Folate - dark green leaved vegetables (turnip greens, mustard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, collard greens, etc.), beans, legumes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, beets and okra.
- Music. Listening to your favorite music is a big method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. Your individual preference in music determines which types of comfortable sounds will primo reduce your tension, blood pressure, and promote feelings of tranquility. Pay attention to how you feel when you hear a particular song or genre of music, and keep listening to the ones that produce a relaxing effect.
- Sleep. Getting sufficient sound sleep has a profound impact on your stress levels, immune function and disease resistance. A degenerative lack of sleep can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, forgetful, accident-prone, and have difficulty concentrating or coping with life's daily aggravations. Long-term sleep loss can also result in heart disease, stroke, hypertension, depression, and anxiety. Sleep time is when your body and exempt system do most of its repairs and rejuvenation. Strive to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Remember rest and relaxation go hand in hand.
- Positive Thinking. Optimism can counteract the negative impact stress, tension and anxiety has on your immune system and well-being. Often it is how you perceive things that determine if you get overwhelmed, both mentally and physically. Having a constructive attitude, finding the good in what life throws your way and superficial at the nitid side of things enhances your ability to effectively manage stress.
- Tea. Regularly drinking tea throughout the day can help strengthen your immune system and your body's ability to fight off germs and infections. some green and coloured teas contain a beneficial amino unpleasant called L-theanine, which can increase the infection fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. L-theanine also promotes a sense of relaxation, calmness and well-being by influencing the release and concentration of neurotransmitters (like dopamine, serotonin and GABA) in the brain.
- Hydrotherapy. Relaxing in a hot bath relieves sore muscles and joints, reduces stress and tension, and promotes a good night's sleep. Add some comfortable music, soft lighting and naturally fragrant bath salts or bubble bath/bath foam to create an inexpensive and expedient spa experience in the privacy of your own home.
To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert's delicious and wholesome recipe. It's high in antioxidants and Omega-3 greasy acids.
Banana Strawberry Power Smoothie
- 1 frozen ripened banana
- 1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup soymilk
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey
Blend in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes, until silky and creamy.
Makes active 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)
Copyright © Monique N. Gilbert. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Recent comments
11 hours 59 min ago
15 hours 55 min ago
16 hours 57 min ago
18 hours 54 min ago
21 hours 18 min ago
1 day 1 hour ago
1 day 1 hour ago
1 day 1 hour ago
1 day 3 hours ago
1 day 7 hours ago