Month: October 2016

Stress & It’s Problems

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness, Mental Health

Stress

This lovely 6 letter word is the cause of so many health problems today. It is also one of the toughest things to alleviate; even dealing with stressful situations can be difficult. There’s no way to completely get rid of stress; however, you can learn to cope.

So what is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat.

The thing is stress can be good and bad for us. Certain types of stress can help us while other types can land us in the hospital with heart attacks, strokes, and mental breakdowns. Stress can literally kill you. That’s why it’s important that we try our best to handle our stressors in a healthy manner.

Firstly, it’s imperative to know what your stressors are. Some are very common:

  • Work/Career
  • School
  • Kids
  • Money

These are just to name a few. You name it, it can be a stressor. The most common way to keep your stress levels low is to make sure you exercise and eat properly. There are, however, more ways to keep your stress levels in a safe range. Personally I like to go for walks around my neighborhood. I find hidden gems that I didn’t even notice always driving around and it actually lifts my mood.

I’m a person that gets bored doing the same things pretty easily. So there are a few other ways I like to cope with stress:

  • Coloring/Painting
  • Meditation
  • Deep breathing
  • Sports & recreation
  • Reading books
  • Journaling
  • Have a good cry

These are just a few things that help me deal with my stressors. I will tell you this, nothing substitutes for being under the care of doctors whose job it is to help us. I didn’t always think this at first; however, therapy is definitely something that can’t be substituted.

The Warm-Up

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Fitness

Warming up is the best way to insure that you minimize injuries during workouts or sporting events. I used to run track & field in high school and college and it was the first thing we did before really getting into the thick of practice. All athletes are required by their coaches to do a warm up routine, but they aren’t the only ones. Singers do warm up exercises for their voices and musicians do warm up exercises with their instruments making sure both are finely tuned. Actors even do warm ups before they begin their scene.

Warming up is part of the fitness process but the concept is used widely. Here are a few warm ups I like that are low impact and get the blood flowing properly to the muscles:

  • 5 minute walk/jog
    • I usually walk/jog around my neighborhood, or I pick a specific destination if I’m planning to do a light workout at home later. This gets the whole body warmed up without having to add more exercises.
  • High-knees
    • Doing high-knees opens up the hips and warms up the lower half of your body. There is two ways to do high knees: 1) you pull your knee to your chest with your hands alternating legs. 2) while holding your hands straight in front of you, you raise each knee to your hands rapidly.
  • Toe touches, then touch the sky
  • Arm circles
  • Lunges

 

 

 

In the Beginning

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Introduction

2015 Started It All OMG!!!

When I say that going natural was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, I’m nowhere near kidding! I began learning all of the different techniques that are common in the Health & Wellness community. You know, the recommendations of using natural products in your hair and not applying heat to your hair. Along with how to take better care of your skin and inner beauty. There was so much information out there! I was immediately overwhelmed on where to start and who to believe. However, I was doing a good job of taking notes when I would find repeating tips and tricks.

Eventually, I found some amazing sources that I have been using since I started my journey. The best part about this journey – and you will find this to be true as well – you are never alone. So many people have decided to make the same decision as you and I have. I mean, I’m sure you wouldn’t have landed on my page otherwise. The best piece of advice I received and can give to others is this:

Try to not get overwhelmed and stressed out while learning. Rome wasn’t built in a day and change doesn’t happen overnight. Never give up.