Steps to Reduce Stress

REDUCE STRESS!!

That's easy to say, but you have bills to be pay, family to support, and tasks to complete. Like that song verse from the band Alabama, "I'm in a hurry to get things done, I rush and rush till life's no fun."

Well, life is no fun if you are always stressing. Adding to the fire, stress makes it more difficult to lose fat.

When you are under stress, your body secretes cortisol, a stress hormone that stimulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism for fast energy, and stimulates insulin release and maintenance of blood sugar levels that stimulate your appetite, with the end result being weight gain or difficulty losing unwanted pounds.

I am not trying to ruffle feathers here, but you have got to start learning to reduce stress in your life so you can lose those unwanted pounds but also live healthier and happier; enjoy your job, family and friends more; and focus your energies on the things in life that really count.

The following are some recommendations that the AARP suggests for stress reduction:

• Make a list of the things that cause you the most stress. Write them down, along with the level of stress they cause and how they affect you.
• Take control by deciding which things on the list you can do something about - and do it.
• Unload and learn to say "no" (this might take some practice). Don't commit to new things because you feel you have to.
• Don't expect perfection from yourself or others. For some things, doing an OK job is just fine.
• Practice setting limits. The key is to first set priorities. Decide what is most important for your family and you, and set time aside for those things, such as family meals, fun time, or retirement planning.