Stress. We all know how it feels, but what is stress, really? My unabridged dictionary defines stress as "physical, emotional, or psychological tension or strain." That does sum it up, doesn't it? Some experts argue that physical stress isn't the same as emotional or psychological stress, but others (me included) feel that you really can't separate the mind from the body/brain.
This is the time of the year when we all seem to be under a LOT of stress...one holiday after another, meals to fix, parties to plan, events to attend, grades to file, moves to make... What?! Would anybody in their right mind move during the holidays? (I'll let you know next month if I survived.) The good news is that following some very simple suggestions about food and health can make a positive difference. I call them "Dooley's Do's."
Do eat well. Plan what you will eat each day. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Eat breakfast most mornings. This helps cut the temptation of mid-morning munching because you're starving. No need to stick to the conventional breakfast foods, either. There's nothing nutritionally wrong with a soup/sandwich breakfast or a bowl of left-over stew. Eat regular meals at regular times throughout the day. Plan snacks, too.
Do eat moderately, most of the time. Think of a small dinner plate when choosing foods...mentally or actually. Fill that plate about one-third with a meat or meat substitute (beans, peas, tofu), one-third with vegetables, and one-third with a combination of fruit and/or starchy foods (pasta, rice, noodles, bread). Give yourself permission to eat immoderately on a few special occasions, and then get back on the moderate eating plan.
Do get enough fluids. Staying hydrated is very important to staying healthy and avoiding that stressed-out, tired, crawling-the-walls feeling. Like with food, plan your fluid intake. Drink one to two eight-ounce glasses of water or other non-alcoholic beverage with each meal, drink a couple of glasses/cups during the morning and afternoon. I even find myself drinking a glass of water before bedtime (yes, I know...more urine...but, less stress!).
Do get enough sleep. We are a sleep-deprived society. Does this have anything to do with stress? Is the sky blue? For most of us, eight to nine hours is not an unreasonable goal for ZZZZ-time.
Do get some physical exercise every day. Two kinds: aerobic (walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, cycling, jumping rope) and anaerobic (lifting weights, yoga, tai chi). Both kinds help cut stress and are important for staying healthy, long-term.
OK, I know the last two aren't considered real food/nutrition suggestions. But, I would be remiss if I didn't give you the full picture. Eating well is an important piece of the stress-reduction puzzle, but it is not the only piece. Wishing you a stress-reduced holiday season. Remember that tax season is just around the corner!