Greg Teha Certified Health and Lifestyle Coach

What to do when you’re stressed to the max….?

I’m glad you’ve found me today, I’ve got something I’d like to share with you. It’s Greg here to let you know that even though you might be stressed to the max right now, there are still small, practical steps you can take to cope with that stress and stay healthy.

But first, why am I talking about stress?

Like it’s not enough to live with stress, now I’ve got to be talking about it too?!

Arggh…. not fun…!!!

But the truth is that it sure is important to acknowledge stress so you can reduce it or cope with it a little better.

Think of it like aiming for a 1% improvement….you may not be able to change the stressors in your life, but if you can manage the impact on your body 1% better, then you’ll stay healthier and more able to handle the stress.

Worthwhile, yes?

Truth: what are some of the effects of stress on your body?

I’m the first person to pretend that stress is no big deal, so if you’re like me, then the two of us need to have a “Come to Buddha” moment and get real about how stress IS affecting our bodies….

• Stress increases cortisol production associated with weight gain (especially in the belly), an inability to lose weight or gain muscle and premature aging
• Stress decreases nutrient absorption due to decreased enzymatic production from the stomach, pancreas and liver and decreased bile flow from the gall bladder
• Stress increases nutrient excretion such as urinary loss of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium, selenium and microminerals
• Stress decreases gut flora populations by destroying healthy intestinal bacteria and can lead to immune problems, skin disorders, nutrient deficiencies, and digestive distress
• Stress increases salt retention which can lead to high blood pressure
• Stress decreases the thyroid hormone which can negatively affect your metabolism
• Stress decreases sex hormones which leads to loss of libido and low energy

But you’re not reading this just to talk about problems, you’re reading to find solutions! So read on…

How can I reduce or cope better with stress?

Remember, since we can’t always control the stress in our lives, the goal is to reduce our experience of stress by even 1%.

Here’s how you can do that naturally, starting NOW:

• Look at your calendar for the next 7 days. What’s one activity you’ve committed to that you can cancel? I teach my clients that saying ‘no’ to one thing (that doesn’t serve you) is actually saying ‘yes’ to yourself (in a way that feels right for you)
• Express gratitude. Research proves that the more gratitude youshow, the more positive you feel about your life.And it turnsout that sticking to your gratitude journal can actually makeyou produce less ghrelin and cortisol, the hormones that helpdetermine whether you feel hungry or stressed
• Consider your schedule today. Where can you fit in 20 minutes for yourself? —where you’re not taking care of anyone else or being busy or “productive”—so you can just relax and play, or totally unplug and do something that nourishes you.
• Before your next meal (or anytime you’re feeling tense), try what I call the “5-5-7” breath. Inhale for a count of 5, hold your breath for a count of 5, then exhale for a count of 7. Repeat at least 3 times. This gives your body a chance to relax before your meal, which will increase your digestive capacity and help your body pull more nutrients from the food you’re eating.

What do I do now?

If you feel too stressed to relax, and you KNOW it’s affecting your health, your weight and your energy levels, then click here NOW to schedule a time to talk with me about how to reduce or cope better with the stress in your life.

I’ve helped many clients solve this problem, and chances are very good that I can help you, too.

To your health!

As a Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach trained in the Transformational Coaching Method, I empower my clients to clarify their desires, identify and craft strategies for success, and overcome all obstacles (internal and external) on the path to achieving those goals. We transform ‘how you do life’ by discovering where your everyday health and lifestyle choices, habits and behaviors are inviting stress into your life and holding you back.