EXERCISE & NUTRITION
YOGA ON TOAST. By Juliet Hindell, Senior Producer, Reuters, New York
Exercise can help people to handle long-term stress without burning out, studies show. In this blog, Reuters Foreign Policy Editor Mary Milliken writes how she used to hide the fact that she exercised every day, concerned her colleagues might think she wasn’t working hard enough.
When it comes to stress, often the first thing to go is a good diet, notes CiC. Someone who is run down, will crave foods high in sugar, fat and salt, along with stimulants such as caffeine, says CiC. After an initial burst of energy, they’re prone to mood swings, poor concentration, fatigue and depression, it adds.
Here are tips from CiC for healthy eating and drinking.
Eat breakfast: This will fuel your body and stabilize blood sugar levels for the rest of the day.
Cut down on coffee: Try herbal teas instead, or green tea if you still want a small dose of caffeine. If you do drink coffee, limit yourself to three cups a day before about 2 p.m. in the afternoon.
Drink water: Try to drink at least 1.5 liters per day, vital for hormonal function and blood sugar balance.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables: This will give you the dietary fiber you need to control blood sugar levels; the antioxidants that you need to boost energy levels; and the vitamins and minerals that your brain needs to stay sharp.
Stick to whole-foods: Food that has not been processed or refined (whole-grain bread, nuts, pulses, legumes, brown rice, organic meat and fish) will keep your mood stable and provide the nutrients that boost serotonin levels along with the fiber that stabilizes blood sugar.