You might have heard people say ‘I’m so stressed’. One cannot understand the gravity of the situation until you go through the same thing. It seems stress has become an indispensable part of modern life. There are so many factors that contribute to daily stress like – work and deadlines, personal life, traffic, health issues etc. Don’t let stress get you all caught up. If you think that you cannot handle the stress on your own, it is best to seek professional advice. Mental health is as important as your physical health, so do not overlook it.
You need to make stress management a part of your life. And for that you need to understand what is stress, what are the signs and symptoms to look out for, and when is it too much!
Symptoms of stress
You can experience stress due to one or many reasons. But the signs that indicate red flags for stress are –
- Constant worrying
- Irritability
- Change in eating pattern
- Unwanted weight loss/gain
- Short temper
- Unable to concentrate
- Depression and anxiety
- Losing interest
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Sleep disorders
Although some of these signs can indicate other illness, but you shouldn’t ignore them.
Best foods to reduce stress
Diet plays such an important role in maintaining different aspects of your health. A lot of times due to increased stress you neglect your health. You eat more junk, have irregular meal timings, drink less water, and do not balance the nutrients; all these factors together with stress have a negative impact on your mental and physical health.
Include these stress buster foods in your diet for optimal health.
- Green leafy vegetables
- Herbal tea
- Dark chocolate
- Fish
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Citrus fruits
- Yogurt
Talk to your dietician to get a proper meal plan. And have it in conjugation with healthy lifestyle practices, optimal workout routine, and enough sleep to reduce the effects of stress on your body and mind.
Reduce stress with mindfulness
By including some mindful activities as part of your daily routine you can reduce stress and relax! Some of these activities are –
- Meditation
Meditation has been a part of various cultures since ancient times. It helps you connect with yourself and align your thoughts. You can find various guided meditations on the internet and start those. If you feel too intimidated with long sessions, you can start with smaller sessions. Meditation will help you focus better, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve mental alertness, mood, energy levels, and sleep quality.
- Being active
Workout and exercise not just for your body, but for your mind. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym. Do any form of exercise that you find interesting. It can be going out for a walk, cycling, swimming, yoga, or even a dance class. The idea is to keep moving and being active.
- Switch your attitude
Instead of always focusing on the negative, it is good to find joy in small things. Try and look at the brighter side in any situation and you’ll see it will automatically reduce your stress. Spend time with people who have a positive outlook towards life, listen to inspiring podcasts and stories, and train your mind to focus on the good. Slowly you’ll see that you stress levels will reduce.
- Follow 5 by 5 rule
This is a simple rule that you should definitely implement in your life to reduce stress. If you come across a situation, give it a thought and ask yourself – will it matter in 5 years? If no, then don’t give more than 5 minutes for that thought and stress yourself about it.
- Inculcate a hobby
Do more of what makes you happy. Try and spend less time in front of the screen and more time in pursuing a hobby. Do it for yourself so that you can unwind and relax. Sitting in your cozy spot with a book and cup of tea at the end of the day, cooking something new for yourself and your family, or gardening; it can be any hobby that takes your mind off work and reduces your stress.
- Make and respect boundaries
The work will never end. You need to understand when you need to stop. Make boundaries between your professional and personal life, especially now that a lot of us are working from home and that division has blurred. Try and not be available for work calls and emails at all hours as it only increases your stress.
GNC supplements to reduce stress
- GNC Pro Performance Zinc Magnesium Amino (ZMA) Complex
GNC Pro Performance Zinc Magnesium Amino (ZMA) Complex is one of the best GNC supplement to promote restful sleep and reduce stress. With such a fast paced and hectic life, fatigue and tiredness are inevitable. When you have the right kind of supplements they help you get proper and restful sleep so that you can be charged to tackle your daily chores.
Some of the main benefits of GNC ZMA complex are –
- Reduces stress and fatigue
- Promotes relaxed and restful sleep
- Boosts immunity
- Improves sleep quality
- Relaxes and soothes you nerves
If you have poor sleep quality or are suffering from sleep related issues like insomnia, your stress levels can increase and impact your overall wellbeing. GNC Pro Performance ZMA has a blend of helpful ingredients and advanced formula. As a dietary supplement, take one capsule at bedtime.
- GNC Melatonin
Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland, which assists in inducing sleep. Darkness cause the pineal gland to produce melatonin hormone. On the other hand, light causes it to stop producing melatonin. This helps our body to maintain the circadian rhythm & sync our sleep wake cycle, which assists in consistent, quality sleep and rest for our body. GNC Melatonin helps us to balance and regulate sleep cycle in a natural way. With 3 mg of Melatonin per serving, GNC Melatonin provides the following benefits:
- Balance and regulate sleep cycle in a natural way
- Provides 3mg of Melatonin per serving
- Comes loaded with Vitamin B6 which is essential for normal functioning of central nervous system
- May enhance quality of sleep
- May be helpful for individuals who have insomnia or troubled sleep
- Timed Release & Vegetarian tablets
Before including any new GNC supplements in your routine, make sure to consult your doctor. Also make sure to read the dosage instructions given on the pack carefully to avoid any side effects or allergic reactions. Visit www.guardian.in to buy and browse the complete range of GNC supplements.