Everyone has a bad day. The weight of the world, no matter how light, can feel like a mountain, and that added stress can get the best of us. Even if you do everything in your power to live a happy, healthy life, moments of “low” are inevitable. It’s how you deal with those moments that counts.

When days like this pop up, it can take a bit more than a few deep breaths to pull you back to calm. The important thing to remember that you’ve got all the tools you need to turn a tough moment into a forgotten memory. Even if there is still a task at hand, the unnecessary worry it brings can be a thing of the past.

Next time you’re feeling the crunch, try out some of these stress management tools…

• Eat something healthy! I know it seems simple but how many times have you reached for something unhealthy to deal with your stress?  Many people are “emotional eaters” and grabbing a clementine instead of a doughnut when emotions run high will not only “feed the feelings” but will give you important phytonutrients to help fight the diseases often caused by stress. Crappy carbs also mess with our cortisol levels which can make you feel even worse. Remember this line when you’re looking for something to munch…Crappy leads to crabby.

• Stretch out your stress or walk out your worries! Twenty minutes of yoga or a quick walk around the block can really make a difference when the weight of the world is weighing you down. It doesn’t need to be a heavy workout session, just a little bit of movement and a whole lot of deep breathing can bring you back to a place of calm. If you’re at work, get up from your desk and get a few minutes of fresh air. “Go make a copy” or take a water break. When you return to your desk, you’ll feel lighter and refocused.

• Talk it out! What is it about stress that makes us want to be not so nice bitchy to the ones we love. Remember that friends and family want you to be happy and often are happy to help you through your tough time. So, be nice to your loved ones. A warm embrace is more comforting than a cold shoulder! Regardless of whether or not they give advice, talking about your problems can make them seem a whole lot more manageable. If you don’t feel like talking, just hang with someone. You’ll remember that you’re not in this alone!

• Take a break! There’s nothing wrong with leaving your troubles for another day. And if a problem needs immediate attention, letting go of the woes will give you the strength you need to get through it.  Stop, take a minute, and remember that everything is going to be okay. For real!

To balance the hardcore workout that took place yesterday, The Kahuna wisely advised me to challenge myself in a different way today.  While it is important for me to be successful in this fitness endeavor and continue to be active each day, it is also important to allow my body to recover and for my mind to prepare for the tasks ahead.

So, for today’s fitness, a sun salutation for each of the 6 days I worked hard this week, and a 7th final pose of Legs-up-the-wall for 15 minutes.  The challenge was both to find the pose, and to find a quiet place of stillness in my body and my mind.   This did not happen instantly, nor did it remain constant throughout the stretch, but I allowed myself to simply be and I committed to the meditation.

For an athlete, this is an excellent pose to do, especially within 24 to 48 hours of an intense workout.  Besides the deep stretch it provides for the legs, back, front torso and neck, it also improves blood flow to and from the heart and refreshes and rejuvenates the entire body.  For the mind, it improves clarity while also creating a calming affect.  For the spirit, it brings emotional balance.

For me, a perfect way to end a great Week One.

Inspiration for the moment…

Allow yourself to be.

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and burning sinuses.  It was 7:45 and I had a 9am date to do Yoga with The Kahuna.  My intention was to ride my bike the 2.7 miles to the beach apartment but that was just not happening.  I danced with the idea of staying in bed until it was time to go to work but that is not what this challenge is all about.  So at 8:30 I pulled myself together, had a protein shake, took some ColdQuell, and drove my car instead.  We used a yoga class  recorded off the Oxygen channel.  It was no easy breathin’ yoga class and perfect for today’s challenge.  Also, it was nice to have a friend join in and support my quest.  Health wise, I felt good during the class.  At present, my throat no longer hurts but my sinuses are still congested and I have a chill.

For my post-workout meal, I had an egg, mushroom and onion scramble, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla with tomato and hot sauce.  I’m being mindful of calorie intake during this challenge.  It is not my goal to lose pounds so I need to make sure that I’m consuming enough calories to maintain a healthy weight.  Last night was a delicious dinner of baked chicken tenders, zucchini, mushroom and tomato.  It was so good and so easy to make.  I just threw it all in a pan with some breadcrumbs and seasoning and 350ºed it until it was done (about 30 minutes).

Other cool challenge additions…

Thanks to my personalized Google page, I happened upon LifeMojo, a neat website that lets me track my challenge and fitness goals.  I found it last night. There are no gimmicks or hidden agendas that I can see.  All I had to do was create the typical username, email, password for my profile and I was signed on and ready to track MyMojo.  You can add your daily activities, diet, glasses of water drank, even waist measurements if that’s included in your goals.  You can choose to have it posted to the public or not.  One feature, that I absolutely love, is they are hooked up with Googlemaps which I can use to create My Routes, and as well as see what other running/walking/cycling routes are being created in my area.  Thanks LifeMojo for keeping me motivated!  I set a goal to run 20 times before February 5.  I’ve got two in the bag! Eighteen more to go!

Today’s meditation: From the words of the tv yoga instructor…

When the mind is silent, happiness bubbles up.

Namaste

Another successful challenge day.  If you read my earlier post, I skipped the morning run for need of sleep, but intended to do some yoga as my day’s challenge activity.  After work, and a food shop to fill our empty fridge, The All-Star and I walked a mile around our new neighborhood,  which was a pleasant addition to the list of exercises.  Plus, walking with my significant other is always enjoyable.  I recommend it to all couples.  It gives us an opportunity to connect without our regular home distractions.  On this particular walk we contemplated for way too long the inability of our neighbors to leave ample parking room for others and spied through the windows of an unoccupied h0me, imagining that we were the future inhabitants.  Pure goodness.

Following a few other necessary tasks, taking down the Christmas decorations, and a phone call to my sister,  I got the lentil soup simmering and started my yoga.  Another 45 minutes of fitness and a check mark next to today.  Some may argue that yoga is not a workout.  While I understand and appreciate the importance and significance of yoga as a form of meditation, I still feel it okay to use it as an exercise in this challenge, especially when feeling as run-down as I did last night.  It’s an opportunity for me to recharge and stretch, and since I don’t plan on taking days off from this challenge, it’s nice to have an activity that doesn’t add to my fatigue.  On the other hand, I do mostly power yoga, so it isn’t all that easy anyway.  Tomorrow, however, I intend to wake up early and go for another run.  Slacking is not the name of this challenge.

So until tomorrow…

And to those participating in your own challenge, keep up the good work!

Eight months ago a friend told me he joined a great new yoga studio nearby my office. They were having a deal: $389 unlimited classes for one year! It sounded too good to be true. My first reaction was to run over and sign up. Then the “buts” and “what if’s” kicked in. Can I afford to shell out 400 bucks? Will I really go and make the deal worth my wild? What my friend said next changed my mind. He said, “You are a health care professional now and you use a lot of your time and energy helping others. You need to start doing something that is healthy for your mind and your body in order to be the best you can be.” Almost immediately, I got in my car and drove over to the studio, handed the woman at the desk my check card and I was on my way.

I started by going to one or two beginner classes a week. I found it a great way to wind down after work and settle my mind of restless activity. Soon I was attending the more advanced classes and practicing more frequently. After three months, Power Yoga had found it’s way into my routine.

Yoga has become part of my life. Even when I can’t attend a class, wherever I am I’ll do a few minutes of stretches and breathing.  Sometimes I’ll use a video if I’m really feeling unmotivated to leave the house. If you have “On Demand” they have some decent FREE classes on their fitness channel.

The benefits are greater than I could have ever imagined. I sleep well, my mind is clearer, I’m less quick to anger and my body looks and feels great. I feel a new deliberation and control in my actions. I’ve learned to listen to my body and answer to its needs. I’ve found a new sense of gratitude and peace.

My yoga practice is something that is all my own and my mat is a place that is only mine to go. I leave my family and friends and work at the door and use the time to reconnect with my body and my self. I know that when I’m feeling down or out of sync, I can return to my mat, without judgment, without fear. I do what my body is capable of doing. When I feel ready, I challenge myself. I thank myself after each time I practice, being grateful for my day and that I gave myself to the time to be.