DuBunné

1. Take a deep breath. Shallow breathing can contribute to stressful feelings. So try this easy exercise: Close off your right nostril and inhale slowly through your left. Hold that breath for a count of five. Then close off your left nostril and exhale out of your right nostril. Do this for about five minutes. Breathing slowly and deeply helps prevent stress from overwhelming you.

2. Reach for protein. When work gets in the way of eating properly, we tend to reach for quick-fix snacks that are high in caffeine and sugar. Instead, try snacking on foods that are richer in energy-boosting proteins and minerals like potassium, which gets reduced when we’re stressed. Better alternatives: Nuts, Peanut Butter, Bananas or Whole Wheat Crakers.

3. Turn it off. All the “bad” news we get from the news media through the newspapers or T.V. can lead to stress. (Opt to read the comics and view something light and funny on T.V.)

4. Exercise. Walking just five minutes with your mind concentrated on your stride and rhthmic breathing does wonders to clear your mind. If you can’t walk ( or don’t want to.), simply step outside, swing your arms back and forth and breathe deeply for an energy boost.

5. Gratitude And last but, not least, give “thanks” for what you do have.