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de-stress tips

Your 5-Second Stress Fix This Holiday Week

Written on December 21, 2012 at 9:04 am , by

Feeling fried and frazzeled? Stop and SODA! (Photo courtesy of Reggie Casagrande)

As we gear up for a week filled with family, food, catching up with old friends and celebrating the season, times will certainly be jolly but more than likely, they’ll get a little tense too. In fact, past studies done by the American Psychological Association have shown that women get more stressed than men during the holidays due to home responsibilities, and because of this are more likely to fall into bad health habits, like comfort eating.

So if your Aunt Ida has one too many and starts spouting off at the mouth about your silverware choices (yet again) or you don’t know how you’ll possibly be able to finish all of your shopping before Santa’s sleigh rolls into town, take this tip from davidji, apprentice to Deepak Chopra and author of Secrets of Meditation: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace and Personal Transformation to SODA. And no, we don’t mean the drink!

  • S: Stop whatever you are doing.
  • O: Observe the moment and take a deep breath to calm yourself down.
  • D: Detach yourself from any drama taking place. Literally, take a step back!
  • A: Awaken to your best self. Ask yourself, “How would the best version of me respond to this?”

Feel better yet? Happy holidays from the FITNESS team and here’s to a happy and healthy 2013!

More from FITNESS: The 10 Best Resolutions to Make

Fit Links: The Benefits of Busting Your Workout Rut and a Top Stress-Less Secret

Written on June 1, 2012 at 2:43 pm , by

If you always jog for exercise, try yoga or strength training. You may learn something about yourself! (Photo by Denise Crew)

This week’s fit links from around the web:

Fit Links: Healthy Snack Options and Stress-Fighting Secrets

Written on March 16, 2012 at 3:41 pm , by

Protein, healthy carbs and a little fat: The makings of a perfect snack. (Photo by Chris Gallo)

This week’s fit links from around the web:

The Look-Hot-On-Valentine’s-Day Workout

Written on February 9, 2012 at 10:24 am , by

We have a much better way for you to prep for your night out! (Photo by Reggie Casagrande)

You may be tempted to try to ease your pre-date nerves with a glass of wine or a few chocolates from your Valentine before your big date, but Stacy Berman, founder of Stacy’s Bootcamp, has a better idea. “A quick workout will give you a little color on your cheeks and will help you achieve that natural glow ,” Berman says.

She designed this 30-minute total body circuit exclusively for FITNESS to “help you look and feel your best and de-stress.” Try to take little to no rest between each exercise, but feel free to take a one-minute breather after you complete all nine moves. (Click on the name of each to see how to do it!) Complete the circuit three times.

More from FITNESS:

Inexpensive Ways to Relax

Written on December 13, 2011 at 1:19 pm , by

Try one of these techniques before you start feeling like this! (Photo courtesy of Sara Forrest)

Holidays stressing you out? Spa treatments and therapeutic massages are great ways to relax, but with all the gifts you’re buying for those on your list, you might feel so guilty about spending the money on yourself that you skip the treatments altogether. During the high-stress time of the holiday season, many of us need relief now more than ever. Thankfully there are plenty of cheap and easy ways to relax and relieve the tension.

Bathe in Espsom Salts
These very inexpensive salts can be found at just about any supermarket. Add two cups to your bath water to relax your muscle tension, detox your system, and aid in sleep and relaxation.

Learn to Meditate
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing hippy-dippy about meditation. All it means is sitting comfortably in a quiet place and clearing your mind of all thoughts. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing; if a thought enters your mind, simply acknowledge it but don’t entertain it. Try it for five minutes the first time, then slowly ramp up the length of your sessions.

Let the Tension Out
Try relieving the tension in your body with a method called progressive muscle relaxation. Sit with your back straight, your feet on the floor, and your hands in your lap. Tighten each muscle group (your neck, shoulders, etc.) for 20 seconds, then relax it slowly. Start at the head and work down the body to the feet.

Exercise Repetition
We all know that exercise is one of the best ways to de-stress. If you’ve got a lot on your mind, pick an especially repetitive activity, like walking, running, or rowing. You can lose yourself in your thoughts and focus on the rhythm.

Keep reading for more cheap ways to chill out.

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