Fit Moms Fit Families!

timely tip from fit it in solutions

Take a mini-stress break every hour of the day. Read the article below for inspirational how-tos.

Ditch Stress Lose Weight

Current research suggests that too much stress may be contributing to weight gain for many people. Even if it isn’t, don’t we all want an optimal amount of stress instead of too much?

The problem is, who has time to do all that stress management stuff? If we had enough time to meditate, do yoga, exercise regularly and talk to a therapist, we wouldn’t need stress management to begin with! Needless to say, this has become a personal issue of late.

Well, I found a helpful technique I’d like to share. I have a timer on my watch (but you can use any timer such as a kitchen timer) that I’ve set to go off every hour. When my timer sounds that is time for my mini-stress break. However, I prefer to call it my “Happy Minute.” Somehow that name motivates me to actually do it.

Instructions for the “Happy Minute.”

1. Set a timer to go off every hour.
2. When the timer goes off take a deep breath.
3. Decide what sort of stress relief tactic you can fit in for wherever you might be. The tactic should take anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes to complete.
4. Do your mini-stress break, take a second to reflect on how good it feels and go back to real life.
5. At the end of the day (when you turn off your timer for the day) notice how much better you feel!

Ideas for the “Happy Minute”

• SIEES the moment – this one can be done anywhere (grocery store, while on the phone, whenever). It is an acronym that stands for Stop, Inhale Expand, Exhale Soften. I think of softening all of the muscles in my face when I get to the last of it.
• The Breathing Prayer (adapted from “Momfulness” by Denise Roy). You breathe in when saying the first line, out when saying the second, in when saying the third and out when saying the fourth. It goes like this: Breathing in I calm my body/Breathing out I smile/Dwelling in the present moment/I am grateful and happy.
• Do yoga sun salutations.
• Read something inspirational.
• Go for a short walk, stretch or do jumping jacks.

I am amazed since I started this at how my stress has not built up nearly as much by the end of the day. I can always find 15 seconds to simply breathe deeply. If you have any short stress reducing tactics, I would love for you to share them in a comment!

To receive timely tips and motivational articles for free, sign up in the yellow box to the right.