How to Beat the Winter Blahs

With the cold temperatures, sniffling noses, and less hours of sunlight per day, it can seem as though our total energy is lacking compared to the warm summer months. Long hours at work, less exercise, and poor diet choices can have a huge impact on how we feel. But how can you change that? Simple daily choices and activities can have a great impact.

Here are some easy ways to boost your energy, feel rejuvenated, and minimize stress. Check out my post on the Zing Bars Blog, to find 4 ways to naturally boost your energy. Plus, today I share with you one specific exercise that can have a huge impact on our health and stress management.

Don't Forget To Breathe...

We usually resort to short shallow breathing during the day, and deeper heavier breathing during the night. However with deep focused breathing meditations, you can reduce stress, reduce your blood pressure, and supply much needed oxygen to your red blood cells. This enables red blood cells to interact with tissues throughout the body, including the brain, exchanging nutrients and oxygen for debris and toxins. This interaction stimulates the brain to send signals of relaxation throughout your body, alleviating your body from the “fight or flight” mode by reducing the hormone cortisol. In a recent study by Iglesias and team, 52 undergraduate students were selected to test the effectiveness of 3 stress management programs, including a mixture of deep breathing exercises, meditation, guided imagery, relaxation response, and cognitive behavioral techniques. The results proved that with the combination of the above stress management techniques, stress could be effectively alleviated by reducing salivary cortisol levels and lowering anxiety, anger, neuroticism, hopelessness, and respiratory rate (1). Since deep breathing exercises can be done anywhere try this easy form of detoxification and stress alleviation at home or in the office.

• A great 4-minute exercise is this soft belly breathing exercise. Try it out!

*Remember check out the additional "4 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs" on the Zing Bar Blog.

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Reference:

1.   Iglesias SL, Azzara S, Argibay JC, et al.  Psychological and physiological response of students to    different types of stress management programs. Am J Health Promot. 2012 Jul-Aug;26(6):e149-58.