Do you worry a lot? Besides the anxiety it's causing you emotionally, it can threaten your health.
Whether you worry over actual problems or the fear of future ones, it interferes with sleep and quality of life. And, according to research done at Case Western Reserve University, it can be so intrusive that it harms your important relationships, too.
Here's what you can do to ease your worries and protect your mental and physical health.
Take action for true concerns. For instance, if you're worried about money for retirement, learn more about investments. Work with a certified financial planner to help you meet goals.
If you're nervous about a health condition or an upcoming medical test, bone up on the procedure, experts at the University of California, Berkeley, suggest. Don't be afraid to ask your medical providers questions so you understand what you've read and how it applies to you.
On the other hand, if you find that you look for things to worry about and can't seem to shake the bad habit, try to lose yourself in exercise. Physical activity boosts mood and improves health -- that's one less worry right there.
You might also investigate mindfulness, a technique that teaches you to live in the moment and not worry about "what ifs." There are self-help approaches to try on your own, or you can work with a therapist to learn ways to turn off worrying by retraining your attention.
People who aren't overwhelmed by worry use positive thoughts or actions to keep negative ones at bay. So look for activities you can do to divert your attention rather than letting worry increase and overtake your practical side.
Whether you worry over actual problems or the fear of future ones, it interferes with sleep and quality of life. And, according to research done at Case Western Reserve University, it can be so intrusive that it harms your important relationships, too.
Here's what you can do to ease your worries and protect your mental and physical health.
Take action for true concerns. For instance, if you're worried about money for retirement, learn more about investments. Work with a certified financial planner to help you meet goals.
If you're nervous about a health condition or an upcoming medical test, bone up on the procedure, experts at the University of California, Berkeley, suggest. Don't be afraid to ask your medical providers questions so you understand what you've read and how it applies to you.
On the other hand, if you find that you look for things to worry about and can't seem to shake the bad habit, try to lose yourself in exercise. Physical activity boosts mood and improves health -- that's one less worry right there.
You might also investigate mindfulness, a technique that teaches you to live in the moment and not worry about "what ifs." There are self-help approaches to try on your own, or you can work with a therapist to learn ways to turn off worrying by retraining your attention.
People who aren't overwhelmed by worry use positive thoughts or actions to keep negative ones at bay. So look for activities you can do to divert your attention rather than letting worry increase and overtake your practical side.
Summer is the perfect time to give your stove a rest and kick back with some fast, no-cook meals made with veggies you can grab at your farmers' market.
ОтветитьУдалитьFor a tasty alternative to a ho-hum salad, thinly slice zucchini and toss with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Add a few dollops of ricotta and sprinkle with fresh herbs.
Craving a Cobb salad? Make it with corn cut fresh from the cob. Add a superfood boost by tossing in baby spinach for plenty of additional vitamins A and C, iron and folate. Top it off with cherry tomatoes, a few cubes of avocado and diced hard-boiled eggs -- add extra whites if you like. Sprinkle with some crumbled blue cheese and a drizzle of antioxidant-rich extra-virgin olive oil, and you'll never miss the bacon.
Want a no-fuss do-ahead meal that goes from fridge to table? Tomato gazpacho with sherry vinegar and fresh garden peppers is a cold soup that will be ready when you are, and it's very fast to make.
Easy Tomato Gazpacho
Удалить2 pounds tomatoes, quartered
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup whole almonds
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Puree until you reach desired chunkiness and then chill for about an hour before serving.
Yield: 4 servings
More information
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a resource guide for families to make the most of summer foods and encourage healthy eating.