Jenn's Losing It

It's always with us, but there are ways to rethink, reframe, and respond to stress that are healthy - and helpful. Stress is natural and it's something that everyone experiences.  It's your body's automatic response to perceived pressure or threat.  Stress seems to know when to hit you and it can hit you all at once - like on the day of your big presentation or it can build up over time - exploding like a time bomb.  I know my tendency is to try and suppress the stress as long as possible and when it bubbles up BOOM...there's either a cry fest, scream fit or both.  I'm the worst at handling stress.  I may look like I have it together, but most days this is what's happening inside.  Bless my family for braving those storms!  I have yet to learn how to channel that stress into something positive or useful. The Weight Watchers Weekly on this subject reminds you that you can use stress to motivate you, like when you pull all the details together for ...

We're still coming off the time of year that can cause us to feel pressure to be extra crafty, social, generous and downright festive.  I know that sums me right up!  If you're one of the lucky ones that didn't feel that pressure-great for you!  If you were affected, it's totally normal to get caught up in unrealistic visions (your own, or someone else's) of a picture perfect holiday and be disappointed if they fall short.  A post holiday reality check is a simple way to manage that.  A reality check is what this girl needs! Take a minute to examine how you really felt during the holiday and how those thoughts affected how you felt and possibly continue to feel.  Taking this inventory can help you to better prepare for the next round of holidays that are coming up in just a few short months. When you can identify and reality check your unhelpful thoughts, you can change your feelings and that can set you up for actions that help you enjoy the season's ...

Why relaxation can help your weight loss success and how to make it happen! Say ahh... and shed stress so you can feel better!  Feeling better physically, mentally and emotionally - who doesn't want that!  unchecked stress can take a toll on your health.  research has linked high levels of stress to everything from the severity of a cold to an increased risk of heart disease.  It's also not good for your weight loss journey.  As you probably can guess one reason is that we often eat in response to stress. According to Weight Watchers Weekly having a go-to technique to ease tension when you feel it building can keep you from turning to self-defeating solutions like comfort eating.  Its a double win, you'll feel better when you're equipped to handle stressors in your life and you'll feel goof about the choices you make.  The first step to handling stress is simply to expect it - it happens to all of us - though we may have different stress trigger...

Need a pick-me-up?  Getting active in the great outdoors is doubly good for your mental health.  “Nature protects us from stress and helps us think more clearly”  says Jo Barton Ph.D. a senior researcher at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.  Her recent study found that 88% of people were in a better mood after walking on a nature trail, while 45% who walked in a mall felt worse.  Too busy for a hike?  Even five minutes of what researchers call green exercise will do you good. Fitness Magazine October 2011

Can’t resist the office vending machine?  Well….blame your boss.  According to researchers at Emory University when alpha female monkeys ordered around less dominant pack members, the inferior animals ate significantly more AND gained more weight over a 2 month period of than the “mean girls” in charge.  The submissive monkeys also had higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone linked with dangerous belly fat.  Here are a few work friendly ways to prevent stress eating: Email yourself every time you eat.  Include the details of why and review the messages every Friday and look for patterns.  Create an action plan of what you’ll do differently next time. Instead of turning to food, email a buddy and tell her how you’re feeling.  Wait for her response before hitting the kitchen Sip green of black tea before reaching for a snack.  The drink contains theanine an amino acid that increases levels of relaxing chemicals in the brain. Join an Inter...