Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.
Need an excuse for much needed personal pampering? Well, today's your day! Here's how you can lower your stress levels, on this national day of relaxation.
Surrender your manic Monday woes because today, August 15th, is National Relaxation Day—24 hours dedicated to honoring your hard work and minimizing your high stress levels. Yes, we’re bombarded with bills, family, and career struggles on a daily basis, bound to give the average person a sporadic headache. And it turns out, we’re all in need of some R&R. According to a recent survey, 23% of Americans have never had a relaxing vacation, and 74% said their lack of relaxation takes a toll on their physical and mental health. And the buzz-kill continues. The Valley Sleep Center says more than 70 million Americans don’t get a good night’s sleep because of battling stress.
But there’s good news; in fact, the solution to this universal issue is simple: we all need to indulge in some serious down time. That’s why we’re breaking down easy ways to bid big stressors goodbye.
Because it’s National Relaxation Day, you should probably consider waking up taking a deep, slow breath in through your nose, then out through your mouth. This, according to certified Yogis. Focusing on breathing is a natural way to calm your body, relaxing your muscles and nerves.
And you’ll want to take your food choice into consideration. That’s because certain sugary foods trigger extreme ups, downs, and agitation, upsetting your body’s capacity to retain energy. (So no granola bars, pastries, or soda…sorry.) And instead of regular coffee, switch to decaf or herbal tea—the warm water provides a soothing sensation. You’ll want to fill up on fruits, veggies, and low-cal proteins like chicken and fish—they provide a healthy source of energy. And if you need an extra boost, some multi-vitamins relieve stress.
And go figure…relaxing doesn’t just go hand-in-hand with vegging out. According to a number of experts, the best known, scientifically way to reduce stress is exercise. Yep, 30 minutes of daily activity definitely betters your body.
And once you do your daily work-out, you’ll want to give your inner-self some TLC. Research shows you’ll first want to make peace with your negative stressors—accept they’re there and that they exist. However, it’s then time you make room for relaxation—it will improve your productivity, and better your physical and emotional health.
In relation, free yourself from break-time guilt…we all need a cat-nap one in a while. You’ll also want to make 6-8 hours of sleep a priority—a tough assignment for a morning show traffic reporter—but sleep restores and refreshes your body. And as hard as it may be, The Secret-believers claim positive thinking works wonders. Yes, visualizing a serene lifestyle may actually result in one. Other tips include learning to prioritize (make lists!), spending time with your pet, and laughing—it’s apparently the best medicine of all.
And if all else fails, opt for some personal pampering. Get a massage, draw a warm bath, take a nap, read a good book, or practice yoga. Simply put, on this National Relaxation Day, give yourself a much needed break. You deserve this day dedicated to you.
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