Week Four - the half way mark!!

If you didn’t have a particularly great week – there's no need to sulk over little setbacks, use them to your advantage. Ask yourself, What have I learned this week? What do I need to do going forward? 

Life's little roadblocks aren't the end, they're merely part of the journey as you make your way toward your ultimate goal. They're opportunities to tweak what you’re doing so you can try again. And kick butt!!

The silly season's almost upon us and it can be a very stressful time.  I very rarely buy magazines, but in one of my Womens Health Magazine (don’t worry boys, it applies to you too!) I found this excerpt from an article that I thought was appropriate to share with you all. 

6 SIMPLE STRESS BUSTERS!

You don't have to resign yourself to feeling frazzled. "What distinguishes one person's meltdown from another's indifference is their perception of control over the situation," says Paul J. Rosch, M.D., president of the American Institute of Stress. Try these strategies and you'll be prepared to shrug off any tough situation that the holidays—or any busy season—throws at you.

1. Tea off

In a study at University College in London, 75 volunteers drank the equivalent of a cup of black tea before completing two stressful tasks. Afterward, their cortisol levels dropped an average of 47 percent, compared with 27 percent for the people who didn't imbibe.

2. Just say "%&* it!"

Swearing reduces stress, according to research published in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal. We don't suggest dropping the F bomb in the middle of an intimate dinner party, but a strategically placed expletive in the privacy of your car, kitchen, or bedroom can help you blow off steam.

3. Press the issue

Acupressure is a quick and effective tension releaser—it can reduce stress by up to 39 percent, according to researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. For fast relief, massage the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger for 20 to 30 seconds.

4. Treat yourself

Flavonoids in cocoa relax your body's blood vessels so that arteries can dilate, reducing blood pressure, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found. Look for dark chocolate or cocoa powder, which have more of the stress-busting compound than milk chocolate, and keep it to one serving.

5. Take a YouTube time-out

Just the anticipation of laughing significantly decreases levels of the stress hormones dopac, cortisol, and epinephrine, according to researchers at Loma Linda University in California.

6. Chew the fat

According to a study from the University of Pittsburgh, people with the highest blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are happier, less impulsive, and generally more agreeable. Boost your mood by adding foods rich in omega-3—salmon, herring, and sardines top the list—to your holiday feasts. Or try a daily supplement of 400 milligrams each of EPA and DHA fish oils.

For loads of other handy articles on all kinds of things relating to health, fitness, general wellbeing etc you can head to the womens health magazine OR the mens health magazine sites - the links are just to the side over there -->

So there ya go!  If you’re feeling the pressure building this silly season - grab yourself a salmon bagel and some dark chocolate and while you wait for your tea to cool down, massage the fleshy area between your thumb & index finger and load up some youtube clips to laugh your worries away!

Good luck with your challenges this week – only 4 more to go!!
~Samantha~