Chipping Away at Life...How Chilling Out Can Help!

CHIPPING AWAY

More than ¾ of Americans feel stress physically and almost as many report they also experience it psychologically. Chronic stress slowly chips away at mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Basically - we have all heard it: prolonged stress is UNHEALTHY! Even the stress of happy events such as getting married or winning the lottery can have a negative impact if stress is ignored. Stress, whether from positive or negative events, can potentially cause distress and exhaustion.

THE STRESS FLOOD

When we are stressed, certain hormones flood our system to provide bursts of energy, numb pain, or immediately help us get out of dangerous situations. But releasing these stress hormones day after day interrupts our normal body and brain function. If we don’t break the cycle, chronic stress can be chaotic on our focus, creativity and productivity.

GROWTH HORMONE = WELL BEING

One powerful punch during stress relates to the our human Growth Hormone (hGH or GH).

When we are children, growth hormone promotes growth, and stressful situations can impact healthy growth.  As adults, growth hormones help us to maintain balance, body structure and optimal metabolism.

Lowered levels of growth hormone in adults can lead to increased fat, heart problems, weakness in muscles and bones, and an overall reduction in personal well-being.

TAKE A HEALTHY SNOOZE OR AN ENERGIZED WORKOUT

Healthy sleep has been directly connected to the release of growth hormone. As growth hormone is released, recovery and repair are stimulated. People with insomnia or interrupted sleep may be lacking in this critical substance. In addition to sleep, like we have heard again and again and again, exercise can also boost the release of growth hormone.

THE POWER IN GROWTH HORMONES

Growth hormones perform a variety of critical functions in the brain and body. They send messages to the fatty acids in storage and tell the body to use them for energy. They stimulate protein synthesis in the muscle and metabolize fat, while increasing the filtration and flow of the kidneys. The list of health benefits from growth hormones goes on and on:

• Helps with use of blood sugar

• Builds muscle mass

• Reduces fat and obesity

• Increases bone strength

• Promotes heart and circulatory system health

• Improves or prevents impotence

• Positive impact on mood

• Speeds up healing process

• Promotes healthy sleep patterns

FUEL FOR OUR FOCUS & CREATIVITY

We need a healthy dose of growth hormone to help us focus, make decisions and learn. It is key to our ability to process information.

STRESS—GROWTH HORMONE’S ENEMY KILLER

Stress kills growth hormone. The main stress hormone, cortisol, can block the release of growth hormone. So chilling out can actually improve your health!

Stress can also trigger adrenaline to increase alertness, which can prevent you from much needed sleep. When you take a snooze, your body produces growth hormone!  Get some rest!

Stress can cause food cravings and we usually eat whatever gives us comfort – which is unlikely green salads and more likely a quick fix of fast food, ice cream or a sugar fix. OK – we all know poor diets can make us fat and increase sugar in our body, but it can also negatively affect our balance of growth hormones.

And… the cycle continues as our metabolism will be out of whack, producing even more cravings, lethargy, and stress.

CHILL OUT TO CONQUER STRESS AND INCREASE YOUR GROWTH HORMONES

Naturally increasing the amount of growth hormone in your system promotes health, balance and especially focus & creativity! 

Here are some ways you can begin to chill out and flow:

SWEET DREAMS

Healthy sleep patterns can change the game for your life.  Those all-nighters working on your projects can actually have the opposite effect on your success. Try going to sleep earlier in the evening knowing when you sleep, your growth hormone is released.  

GET SUNSHINE

Exposing yourself to natural sunlight during the day triggers melatonin after dark. Melatonin is critical for healthy sleep patterns, which is when GH is released. If you can’t get natural sunshine, consider a light therapy box during winter.

YUM

Eat foods that provide a natural source of melatonin, such as bananas, pineapples, oranges, sweet corn, oats, tomatoes and more. Also, turn off those electronic devices in the evening. They inhibit the secretion of melatonin and impede sleep.

EXERCISE TO CHILL OUT

High intensity exercise in short spurts, with resistance training, can particularly increase growth hormone production. Exercise, in turn, helps you to relax and sleep well, which minimizes the power stress has over you.

LISTEN TO MUSIC

Create your own calming mix of music on your iPod and shut out stressors. Relaxing tunes can help you chill out and reduce cortisol. Try listening to calming music on your commute, during work, or when falling asleep.

JOIN US

Stand up to stress. Remind your body and mind that YOU ARE IN CHARGE! Know you are not alone! Join our Chill Out to Focus, Create and Innovate community right now. Join us and learn how to chill out to reduce stress and expand the immense power of your brain!

Be Well, Be Joyful, Be Inspired…
Have a Beautiful Day…

Gina Kloes

To learn more about being a mindful entrepreneur and game changer in this world, please contact Gina’s team at [email protected].