No matter how easy going you may be, sometimes life gets stressful. There are things in life that happen outside of your control which require you to work a little harder to cope with stress and find your zen.

It's important to acknowledge stress so you can reduce it or cope with it a little better. Think of it like aiming for a 1% improvement. While you may not be able to change the stressors in your life and what's happening in the world right now, you can learn to manage the impact stress has on your body. The more you’re able to do this, the healthier you'll be
 
So what are some of the effects of stress on your body?

• Stress increases cortisol production associated with weight gain (especially in the belly), an inability to lose weight or gain muscle and premature aging.

• Stress decreases nutrient absorption due to decreased enzymatic production from the stomach, pancreas and liver and decreased bile flow from the gall bladder.

• Stress increases nutrient excretion such as urinary loss of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium, selenium and micro minerals.

• Stress decreases gut flora populations by destroying healthy intestinal bacteria and can lead to immune problems, skin disorders, nutrient deficiencies, and digestive distress.

• Stress increases salt retention which can lead to high blood pressure.

• Stress decreases the thyroid hormone which can negatively affect your metabolism.

• Stress decreases sex hormones which leads to loss of libido and low energy.
   

So how can you reduce or cope better with stress? Remember, since you can’t always control the stress in your lives, the goal is to reduce your experience of stress by even 1%. Progress > Perfection.
 
Here’s 5 simple you can do that, starting NOW:

1. Look at your calendar for the next 7 days. What’s one activity you’ve committed to that you can cancel?

2. Look at your to-do-list. What’s one item you can delegate to someone else in the next 24 hours?

3. Consider your schedule today. Where can you fit in 20 minutes for yourself – where you’re not taking care of anyone else or being “productive” – so you can just relax and play and do something mindless?

4. Look at your calendar for tomorrow. Where can you fit in a 10-minute walk? The fresh air and movement will help you cope way better with stress.

5. Practice calming yoga poses like rag doll, wide-legged standing forward fold with a block underneath your forehead, and child's pose. Hold these poses from anywhere from 5-15 breaths