Back to Videos & More
Print

A How-To Guide to Holistic Health

Added to Articles on Tue 09/20/2011

How-to Reduce the #1 Major Ager: Stress


Life is stressful – but there is a lot you can do to protect your body and mind from stress. Most people think that doing something for just 5-10 minutes during a stressful situation can’t make a difference so they do nothing at all. That’s a huge mistake since acting in the moment can help stop stress from escalating. Here are three stressful situations Dr. Oz viewers said they needed help with in a recent poll.

 

1. The Sunday Night Blues

Your Sunday night routine is crucial to your health. Compared with Sunday, 36% more heart attacks occur on Monday, probably because people are stressed out about starting their workweek all over again. Beat those Sunday night blues:

  • Make Stress-free Soup: The act of making soup is very comforting and relaxing. Click here for Dr. Weil’s Roasted Winter Squash and Apple Soup recipe, packed with healthy antioxidants. Make a big quantity and enjoy for the entire the week.

  • Stress-suppressing Supplement - Holy Basil: Considered a sacred plant in India, holy basil is enjoyed as a medicinal tea that raises spiritual energy, reduces stress, and promotes calm. It is also available in tablet form; take 2 tablets twice a day. Available at health food stores or online.

  • Change Your Alarm Clock for a Gentler Awakening: Loud noise can cause stress. Wake up gently by switching your alarm clock from a loud, jarring sound to soft, calming music.

2. PMS Stress

Research shows that women who report high stress are 2-4 times more likely to have moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome. If you suffer from PMS:

  • Reduce caffeine by avoiding coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, etc. during your period.

  • Exercise more often.

  • Black current oil contains GLA, an essential fatty acid found in mother’s milk that acts as an anti-inflammatory. Take 200mg twice a day at the start of the week you experience PMS.

3. Sitting in Traffic

Research shows that you are more likely to die of a heart attack when you’ve been sitting in traffic three hours prior. To stay relaxed in this frustrating situation:

  • Listen to calming music. Click here for a playlist of soothing choices. Click here for tips on enjoying a stress-free commute.

  • Try this simple 4-7-8 breathing technique. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4; hold your breath for a count of 7; then breath out through your mouth to a count of 8. Repeat 4 times.