Under Pressure

God didn't do it all in one day.  What makes me think I can?  ~Author Unknown

Sound familiar? While we all are aware that stress is the root of sleepless nights and can lead to a myriad of health issues, we pay little heed to the warnings and charge ahead attempting to do it all. Browse the self-help section of the library or your favorite book store and the number of books written to help us all remove stress from our lives is a testament to our desire to live life stress-free. 

Here are just a few suggestions that we can easily apply to our lives allowing us to concentrate on the important things in our life. It's been said that if we did just that - there would be a shortage of fishing poles.

Be prepared. It's more than the Girl Scout's motto. Keep some cash on hand, avoid letting the gas level in your car fall into the empty zone, keep pain relievers such as Tyelnol or Advil on hand was well as over the counter antacid and treatment for mild diarrhea. Taking care of the 'small details' on a daily basis will help ease your mind and reduce stress.

Reverse your dinner/breakfast caloric intake. You know that eating breakfast is good for you - the word for the first meal of the day instructs us to "break the fast." Our constant motion, get it all done right now society has made breakfast something that we can "eat on the go." Debbie Mandel, a stress-management expert and author of "Addicted to Stress" advocates making breakfast the biggest meal of the day and dinner your smallest. A breakfast of lean proteins to fuel your brain to think straight and complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal or multi-grain bread, will help keep you in a good mood.

Get organized. Studies show we are more likely to forget things if our homes are cluttered. Apparently someone has seen my kitchen counters and dining room table. If you are stressed about forgetting appointments or other events, get into the habit of writing them down in a special notebook, calendar or electronic device such as your Smartphone or computer. Repeating each entry out loud as you write it down will help commit it to memory. Set aside a certain place for your wallet and your keys and put them away in the same place every day.

Take a walk around the block. Yes, exercise at any time of the day is better than no exercise at all but the experts agree that when it comes to eliminating stress and setting the tone for your day, the morning is the best time to get your heart rate up. If you're like me, you'll feel great about crossing "exercise" off your list at the start of the day, but the added benefits of boosting the energizing endorphins will help carry you through the rest of your day.

Clear your mind. Lack of sleep is one of the major causes of stress. If you are anxious about something your brain will trigger the adrenal glands to make you more alert. Meditate or do some simple breathing exercises to help prepare your body for sleep.

Socialize. We all know that getting together with friends and family can help keep depression at bay but did you know that depression and stress can contribute to memory loss? Seek out opportunities to get together with loved ones - especially if you live alone. When someone extends an invitation to share a meal or attend an event - go!