Stress levels tend to rise when you see deadlines looming at work. If you have a job that causes stress, you need to take action to protect your body because daily stress can play havoc with it. We have high expectations in our lives, and success means more and more to this generation. We pressure ourselves and this pressure is contagious — if parents are finding life stressful, it can cause stress in children at home as well. When you are stressed your body produces a high level of adrenaline and cortisol. This can lead you to feel overwhelmed even by fairly minor situations and can cause you to over react.
Stress is caused mostly by worries over work or money. Women are prone to depression and anxiety disorders when faced with stress, and prolonged exposure to stress can double the risk of breast cancer in women. People who have too much stress may also be much more likely to die of heart complaints. It can also affect the immune system and disturb sleep patterns. Men and women exposed to stress can turn to food, alcohol or cigarettes to comfort themselves, which only puts more pressure on the body.
Exercise is a great stress buster. If you come home from work stressed, you are no good to your family, so why not take a detour on the way home and settle for a nice, relaxing swim? Ten or twenty lengths will relax you, and send oxygen whizzing around your stressed body. You will breathe easier and when you arrive home you will feel relaxed and invigorated, ready to spend time with the family. You will also sleep better, and that will give you energy and balance for the next day.
Help your body
• Drink plenty of water and cut down on colas and coffee.
• Drink freshly squeezed juices.
• Have fruit snacks to keep your immunity high.
• Eat healthy low fat food.
• Take short breaks during the day.
• Have a massage, or a facial.
• Spend time in the garden or on the beach.
• Think about making lifestyle changes.
Recipe of the Week
Chicken Tikka
Serves 6
Ingredients
800 g lean chicken breasts (skinned)
4 cloves crushed garlic
4 small pieces ginger, finely grated
4 tsp. yoghurt
2 level tsp. salt
4 green chilies, finely chopped
6 tsp. tandoori paste
4 tsp. olive oil
Finely chopped coriander
Tomato wedges
Method
Wash chicken, cut into 3cm long pieces and place in a large bowl. Add all ingredients, except the oil, and mix well. Leave to soak for 3 hours. Pan-fry the chicken with olive oil for 5 minutes on a moderate heat. Cook in a pre-heated oven 200C for 25 minutes, or until tender. Garnish with tomato wedges and coriander.
Ask Alva
I want to lose at least 15 kg in a month. I have lost weight before by not eating for a week and I do the entire household work everyday from washing to all cleaning. Is it ok? Please help me. I am 75 kilos now and I want to be below 60 kg in just one month. Please help me. Distressed
I wonder why you are in such a hurry to lose weight? Anyone can lose weight quickly by going on a calorie-reduced diet if they have the will power — but the problem is that weight lost this way comes back quickly too, and I guess that is your problem. So now you should try to lose weight in a sensible way, by eating a balanced diet but first you have to allow your body to adjust itself to regular meals, and to lose weight effectively. If you are overweight, it is because you eat too much at times. So you must change your eating habits. It is not good for your body to lose a lot of weight suddenly. Obviously you are getting plenty of exercise with all the housework. Email me at: [email protected] and I will send you a free copy of my Healthy Eating Guide. Alva
For all your weight concerns and questions e-mail Alva Carpenter at:
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