Stress: how to relieve it to ease your mind and body.  Make your life more fun and less stressful with these new techniques.  They’ll help you see things from a different perspective.

Stress affects your immune system, your digestion, your sleep patterns, and even your brain chemistry.  And it’s easy to fall into bad habits when stressed out.  It’s one of the main reasons we eat more than we should.  Reducing stress will help reduce your appetite and make you less likely to overeat. 

And when you are highly sensitive and going through menopause or perimenopause, it is even more important to reduce stress.

Stress: How to Relieve it? Micro-Moments of Joy – it’s a game changer!

I chatted with a friend of mine, Liz, a fellow health coach, and she told me about micro-moments of joy that had helped her find balance in her life.  I tried this out, developed new techniques, and put them into practice in my life.  Here is what I learned:

Micro-moments are all about noticing the small moments of joy in your life that bring you happiness.  These include laughing at something funny, smiling at someone we love, or doing something fun for ourselves.  When these small moments add up, we add a significant amount of joy to our lives.  I keep a list handy on my phone of small things I can do/recognize these moments that bring me joy.

(Check out my downloadable guide below.)

Here is my list:  

1. Make a warm, cozy drink in a mug.
2. Look out a window at the trees blowing in the breeze.
3. Go and get a hug from your child or pet.
4. Go on a 5-minute walk outside.
5. Lift your face to the sun with your eyes closed.
6. Take a few deep breaths, and notice the moment – what is happening around you.

If you have a little more time, take a meditative walk and find an abundance of micro-moments of joy in just 10 minutes.

Stress: How to Relieve it with a Meditative Walk: 

1.  Step outside into nature.

2.  Take three deep breaths and exhale slowly.

3.  Begin walking.

4.  Touch – Notice your heels touching the ground, your foot rolling forward onto your toes, and your toes lifting.  Feel your arms swaying.  Observe your breath – is it slow? Has it quickened? Can you feel your clothes touching your body? Is the sun warm or the wind cool?  What else can you notice?

5.  Sounds – Do you hear your feet crunching on the ground or striking a hard surface?  Can you hear the wind in the trees or birds singing? What else can you identify?

6.  Sights – What nature can you observe?  Do you see a tree? Are the leaves moving, or can you see grass or flowers?  What other pleasant sights can you identify?

7.  Smell – Are the neighbors barbequing?  Do you smell heat rising from the asphalt?  Can you smell if it is about to rain?  What else?

8.  Repeat.  Focus on the present moment and let your stress and worries take the sidelines.

Ahh.

(Check out my downloadable guide below.)

Stress: how to relive it, more ideas:

Smile at someone who’s smiling back.

Take a moment to smile at someone else.  It will make you happier than you think!

Watch a sunset or sunrise.

A sunset or sunrise is one of those moments when everything seems perfect.  You might even think, “This is my favorite part of the day.”

Listen to music.

Music reduces stress levels and improves mood.  It makes people more creative and productive.  If you’re having trouble finding something to listen to, try listening to an album by a band you love.  Or, download some songs onto your phone to play them while you work.

Read something funny.

A good laugh will lift your spirits and make you smile.  Try reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to music.  You might even find yourself laughing at something that happened earlier today.

Do something kind for someone else.

If you feel stressed, take some time to do something nice for someone else. It’s easy to forget how much we need other people when busy with our lives.

Exercise regularly.  

Exercise releases endorphins, chemicals that give us feelings of happiness and relaxation.  Physical activity reduces stress, improves mood, and helps people sleep better.  Even small amounts of exercise can benefit our bodies and minds.

Learn to laugh.

Laughter reduces stress levels and improves mood.  So find something funny to watch on TV, read a book, or listen to music.  If you feel anxious, try laughing at yourself instead. Laughing will help you release some tension and stress.

Eat slowly.

Another tip to help you eat less is to slow down when you eat.  Try taking smaller bites and chewing each mouthful thoroughly before swallowing.  Savor the moment and the food you are eating.

Take Time Off.

Stop the hustle and bustle and take a day, or half a day, off work to recharge and relax.

Stress: How to Relieve It Downloadable Guides:

Click on the images and get downloadable versions of these

Stress: How to Relieve It Guides.

Download this simple cheat sheet for more Healthier Habits here.

Get on the waitlist for my online program here.

Read more about healthier habits here.

Reduce your stress with my cookbook, Shortcut Real Food: 20-minute meals; click here.

Don’t forget to share your favorite posts with friends and family – get the word out about easy, healthy eating!  

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat any health condition or to be prescriptive for anyone. Always be sure to work with your healthcare practitioner before making any changes.

Also, share your comments below. I’d love to know what you think about this recipe.

I’m a Certified Health Coach for highly sensitive peri/menopausal women, with advanced training in reducing inflammation and improving gut health. I clear up and sort out the nuts and bolts of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, so you don’t have to, and hand it to you in quick and easy ways you will love.  I am a highly sensitive peri/menopausal woman and am happy and thriving.  You can get there too.

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