It’s summer and it’s supposed to be an amazing time, right?! Well, that is the case for a lot of you AND a lot of you are still just trying to deal with the hustle and bustle of your life. Sometimes just when you think you’re about to get a break…something else piles on your plate, right?! I know that’s been the case for me. Life doesn’t stop happening and sometimes happens even when you think it’s supposed to be slowing down. More and more things being added to your to-do list can be significantly triggering! And, just when you think you have a grasp on eating well, being active, practicing self-care, and taking care of your body…another task is added that can trigger stress, burnout, or feelings of just being overwhelmed.

I want you to enjoy your summer as much as you can, so let me share some simple tips for coping with stress without food!

1. Turn off the radio on the ride home and listen to an uplifting podcast. Before getting in your car and driving home or to your after work destination on autopilot. Listen to a podcast or audio book that can uplift you and help you decompress from the work day! Too many times we just get in the car and run on autopilot without even knowing it. It’s so bad for some of you that even though you have clocked out, you are STILL thinking about work, which further stresses you out! Instead, put on a good audio book or podcast that can actually help you free up your mental space. 

2. Write and speak intentions and gratitude statements. Many times when you are stressed it’s because of your perspective and where you are focusing your thoughts and energy. The ways that you view or think about a situation can sometimes lead you to be more stressed out! Writing and speaking statements of intentions (stating what you want to see in your life) and gratitude (giving thanks for what you have in your life and what you want as if you already have it) can shift these thoughts and perspectives and decrease your stress!

3. Take a nap! Sometimes you just nee a good ol’ fashion nap! Taking a nap can actually help your brain process the day’s stressors in a way that calms your stress. Giving yourself about 30-45 mins to get some rest can actually leave you feeling a little more restored and energized (Please note: sleeping longer than this or too close to your bedtime can disrupt your sleep routine, so you want to place your naps earlier in the day, if you can). A consistent practice of breaking up your day with a nap can help you manage stress in effective ways!

4. Meditate or pray. A consistent practice of sitting quietly, either praying, meditating, or practicing mindfulness has been consistently shown in research to be an effective strategy for reducing stress. Quiet time helps to quiet the mind. Intentionally siting in quiet or slowing down yourself down can disrupt your normal patterns of turning to food when you’re stressed. Slowing things down a bit and taking some deep breaths can re-center you and remind you of your goals and intentions around food and health.

**Be sure to catch up on the latest episodes in my podcast, FOOD IS NOT BAE! available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Soundcloud**

Health and Blessings for a Great Week!