Relaaaaax!

Reducing your daily stresses should help to eliminate some of the negative emotional triggers that make you want to nosh away the day.  Here are a few relaxation techniques to try out. 

Autogenic relaxation

The word autogenic means produced from within or self-generating.  This type of relaxation is done by repeating words or suggestions to your body.  You can, with practice learn to control breathing, blood pressure, heartbeat and body temperature. 

Progressive muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that uses the process of tensing and relaxing muscles.  The act of tensing and relaxing allows you to understand how your body feels when tense and how your body should feel when relaxed.  Through this realization you will learn how to reduce muscle tension.

Visualization

Your imagination is key to this stress buster.  Visualization relaxation is similar to daydreaming, but with added self-conscious control of your “dream”.  The idea is that your personal visualization will bring about a calm and relaxing feeling. 

A few other ideas:

•    Exercise regularly
•   Get plenty of sleep
•   Reach out to family and friends
•  Pamper yourself -  Get a massage

To learn more about the benefits of relaxation check this out: 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/relaxation-technique/SR00007