Is the start of the semester stressing you out? NEIU resident yoga instructor, Juliane Mankowski, offers some tips for reducing stress:
Relax. Make time throughout the day for a few minutes of meditation, quiet time or prayer. Take a hot bath or go to a movie.
Exercise. It relieves tension and provides a “time out” from stressful situations. It helps to balance blood sugar levels.
Sleep. Get enough of it. Sleep gives your stressed-out body time to replenish itself.
Reduce or eliminate caffeine. This induces chocolate. Caffeine is a stimulant that taxes the liver and depletes the body of vitamin B.
Avoid “multi-tasking.” Do one thing at a time.
Set your priorities. Get organized and simplify your life. The to-dos will always be there. Let some things go and determine what is really important to you.
Socialize with family and friends. Limit time spent with negative people or in stressful situations.
Nutrition. Eat fiber, whole foods and vegetables to support the adrenals function and stabilize blood sugar. Avoid refined sugar and carbohydrates.
Juliane Mankowski is a KRI certified Kundalini Yoga teacher. She instructs the Yoga Flow class at NEIU’s PE Complex on Tuesdays from 3:15-4:30 p.m.