Don't let stress make you fat, sick and stupid!

Too much stress can lead to obesity and illness, as well as depression, cognitive impairment, and concentration and memory problems.

The bad news is that our modern lifestyle puts many of us are under almost constant stress.

This week we're looking at 5 Top Tips to Reduce Stress.

Reducing Stress - Tip #5 - Coping Skills

A powerful trick for managing stress is to find a temporary distraction.  Since the mind can only think about one thing at a time, a distracting activity can give you the timeout you need to clear the cobwebs out.  Then when you come back to the stressful task, you'll be able see the situation and its resolution more clearly.

Try these coping skills:

• lose yourself in a really good book
• watch a spellbinding movie
• play a game of tennis
• take a nap
• do a crossword puzzle
• do some gardening
• rake leaves
• wash your car
• vacuum the house

Use the coping skills that work for you to manage and reduce your stress.

Reducing Stress - Tip #4 - Move It!

Our sedentary lifestyle is all wrong -- it's affecting our weight, health and well-being.

The human body is made to move -- that's how it works.  When we crash on the couch or sit behind a desk for hours on end, we start to lose concentration, cognitive power and memory.  Instead of reaching for junk food for a quick fix, get up and Move It!  We're talking about butts off couches!

Try these strategies to de-stress and Move It:

• get up and stretch
• walk around the block
• walk to the water cooler
• put on some fast music and dance around the house

When you get up and Move It, you'll be improving your circulation, getting the cobwebs out, and re-energizing your mind and body.  Not only will you elevate your mood, you will also increase your concentration, cognitive and memory skills.  It's a no brainer!

Reducing Stress - Tip #3 - Relaxation Strategies

Try these strategies to relax and de-stress:

• plan ahead and schedule down time into your lifestyle
• take some "unplugged and offline" time every day
• get enough sleep
• do activities that take your mind off stressful tasks, such as
  • reading
  • listening to relaxing music
• go for a massage
• take a long warm bath

Reducing Stress - Tip #2 - Managing Stress

Here's some strategies that work to reduce and manage stress:

• don't take on more than you can do - learn to say "No"
• set reasonable deadlines - don't accept unreasonable deadlines
• get organized - get rid of clutter
• develop good time management skills
  • prioritize your tasks
  • do tasks you are stressed about first
  • plan to complete tasks ahead of schedule
  • never leave tasks to the last minute

Reducing Stress - Tip #1 - Breathe Deeply

Often when we're stressed, we are in caught up in a fight or flight response.  We feel like we're under siege and fighting for survival.

• The next time you feel overwhelmed by stress, take a timeout and breathe deeply for a few minutes.  Inhale deeply and slowly exhale.  As you breathe in slowly, think about how you are infusing your brain and every other part of your body with much-needed oxygen.  As you continue to breathe deeply, feel yourself begin to feel calmer.