Sometimes life is very stressful. When stressed, our body sees it as a threat and stress hormones are released. Stress over time can cause high blood pressure which can lead to heart problems. Stress may also lead to increased anxiety and depression.
Check out this list of ways to cope with stress:
1.Mindfulness Meditation- Mindfulness lets us take a step back from our thoughts and emotions. Meditation can help us be more mindful and in the moment. It has been shown to decrease stress and sadness. Check out the following apps for guided meditations: Headspace or Calm.
2.Movement- Adding in movement has shown to help reduce the body’s stress hormones and improve mood. Going for a 10-minute walk can help relax the mind and help you clear your head. Try to pick a movement that you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or dancing for example.
3.Listen to music- Research shows that music helps us feel like we belong, provide positive feeling towards others, empathy, trust, and helps with social skills. Music can also change our mood and our heartbeat. Try listening to calming music when stressed.
4.Talking to someone- Venting about what’s stressing you can be very helpful and feel good. Research shows that complaining to your coworkers, friend or therapist is good for your mental health and helps you process your feelings.
Information gathered & adapted from:
https://www.headspace.com/articles/how-to-relieve-stress
Dark Chocolate Strawberry Poppers
Ingredients
1 dark chocolate bar
5 large strawberries
4 Tablespoons Cashew Butter (or any nut or seed butter)
mint for garnish
Preparation
1.Slice strawberries and break dark chocolate bar into bricks. Top the chocolate with the strawberry slice, add a teaspoon of cashew butter on top with mint to garnish. Enjoy!
Serving Size: 5 servings
Nutrition Information per Serving: 8.7 grams total fat, 3.0 grams saturated fat, 9.5 grams carbohydrate, 1.9 gram fiber, 2.3 grams protein, 73.8 milligrams sodium, 77.0 milligrams potassium, 3.8 grams sugar
Recipe adapted from:
https://cookeatshare.com/recipes/dark-chocolate-strawberry-poppers-821481
