Personal Blog

Now comes what I call the fun part. How do we start healing our stressed out lives? Speaking from experience, I can tell you that paying attention to your lifestyle and diet and becoming more and more self-aware of your habits, reactions, behaviors etc. is key and will serve you well. And if you read these options below and think- while rolling your eyes, “Oh my GOSH, how is some deep breathing going to help MY anxiety??? I’m too busy for this stuff!!!!”– well, that tells me right there, you are too busy and too stressed NOT to make time for this. And I can say that it’s when you are thinking like that — that’s when life will typically MAKE YOU SLOW DOWN. I recall that I got soooo close to adrenal burnout my doctor told me “Kelly you are about to land in the hospital if you don’t SLOW DOWN and start RESTING and taking breaks!”– 

I started listening. I HOPE YOU DO!

Holistic Approaches to Reduce Stress Hormones:

Mindfulness and Meditation:

– Deep Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing, help activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing levels of stress hormones like cortisol and promoting a sense of calm. 

– Guided Imagery: Visualization exercises guided by a trained practitioner can help individuals create mental images that evoke relaxation and reduce stress.

– Body Scan Techniques: Body scan meditation involves systematically focusing attention on different parts of the body, helping to increase awareness of bodily sensations and promote relaxation.

Regular Exercise Routine:

– Cardiovascular Activities:

Aerobic exercises like jogging, walking, swimming, or cycling can help reduce stress hormones and improve mood by increasing endorphin levels, also known as “feel-good” hormones. I’d recommend keeping your cardio on the lower impact like swimming or walking.

– Strength Training: Resistance training exercises, such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, can help reduce stress hormones and promote a sense of empowerment and control.

– Yoga and Pilates: These mind-body practices combine physical movement with breath awareness and mindfulness, helping to reduce stress hormones and improve flexibility, strength, and overall well-being. I’ve talked about how much I am loving TheClass.com for yoga right now. It’s a totally unique approach to yoga — they have traditional yoga classes but they are known for “The Class” which is more a twist on yoga that includes I’m going to call it like somatic movement with some cardio-ish movement and a lot of mindfulness thrown in and FANTASTIC MUSIC and will you work your core and glutes every time? oh yes!! Plus they. have meditation and breathwork…they have classes by the TIME, so if you want to choose a class by 15 minutes or 30 minutes or 1 hour or 1 and a half hours or by TYPE of class or by instructor…..I’m in love. They have a free trial where you can test them out for a MONTH – that’s what I did. I think they are the bomb, the women who teach the classes I’m hoping to interview on the podcast coming up they are so…..just have so much to teach about being mindful and fluid and centered. Every class I do, I am more of my future self. Check out TheClass.com and try out their free trial. 

Healthy Diet Choices:

– Balanced Nutritional Intake: Consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients that support overall health and help regulate stress hormones.

– Limiting Caffeine and Sugar: Excessive consumption of caffeine and sugar can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, contributing to feelings of stress and anxiety. Limiting intake can help stabilize energy levels and promote a more balanced mood.

– Incorporating Stress-reducing Foods: Certain foods, such as fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, dark leafy greens, and foods high in antioxidants, can help reduce inflammation and lower levels of stress hormones in the body.

Adequate Sleep Hygiene:

– Establishing a Bedtime Routine: Creating a consistent bedtime routine signals to the body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep, helping to reduce stress hormones and improve sleep quality.

– Creating a Relaxing Sleep Environment: Optimizing the sleep environment by minimizing noise, light, and distractions can promote relaxation and help reduce levels of stress hormones before bedtime.

– Prioritizing Restful Sleep: Prioritizing sufficient and restful sleep is essential for regulating stress hormones, supporting overall health, and promoting resilience to stressors in daily life.walking