Lifestyle Stategies

Stress Management 

​

One thing I’ve learned: we can’t talk about women’s health without talking about stress and stress relief! 😬 😌

​

Chronic stress is associated with several health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions, and hypertension. Yikes! Plus, some research suggests women are more likely to internalize stress—leading more readily to physical and mental health problems.**

​

At every life stage, we have our stress challenges as women.? Whether it’s premenstrual tension, the stressors of motherhood, perimenopause-related anxiety, or post-menopausal mood symptoms, we could all use a little help sometimes.

​

😌🙏The good news is––even in stressful times––you can help lower your stress hormone (cortisol) through:

• Managing stress with strategies like exercise or yoga, meditation, adequate sleep, and seeking social support. 

• Fostering positive emotions by practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and SELF-CARE. 

Stress Relief + Prevention Ideas 🧘🏽‍♂️ 

• Do a gentle yoga or qigong class

• Practice a guided meditation 

• Watch or listen to something that makes you laugh

• Call a loved one or friend

• Watch a sunrise or sunset

• Do something creative you enjoy––draw, color, craft, collage, paint

• Sing or dance to your favorite songs

• Practice breathwork

• Luxuriate in a bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil

• Curl up with a good book or magazine

• Think of 3 things you feel grateful for today

• Take a walk in the fresh air (ideally somewhere with plants and trees)

What are your favorite ways to reduce your stress level? Share with us in the comments!

** https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/women-stress 

Graphic: Ideas for Stress Relief + Prevention

​

PART 2. Sleep Hygiene for Women’s Health

Raise your hand if you’d like a bit more sleep! ✋ Sleep is so vital to our health as women. 

Whether you’re growing a baby, dealing with sleep disruption in perimenopause, or just trying to do your best at work or raising kids, sleep is going to be key for your mental and physical health. While you sleep, your body does a lot to heal and restore itself, and your brain sorts and stores the things you've experienced. Sleep helps keep your thinking sharp, boost your mood, and may even help prevent overeating and keep your stress hormones in check.

😴 If you ever find yourself tossing and turning, we recommend these expert tips. Sometimes small changes can make a BIG difference.

​

Tips for Better Sleep✨

1. Create a calming bedtime routine and start it an hour before bed:

• Turn off screens – blue light from devices and TV can interfere with sleep hormone production.

• Lower the lights – to further avoid sleep-disruptive blue light.

• Avoid tense topics – let loved ones know you’re in your no-stress zone. 

• Engage in calming activities – try reading, meditation, or gentle stretching. 

​

1. Practice stress-reduction techniques: If you have racing thoughts at night, try ways to help prevent them, like deep breathing or journaling.

2. Optimize your bedroom for sleep: Make your sleep environment dark, quiet, and comfortably cool. 

3. Limit sleep-disrupting food and drink at night: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol late in the evening. 

4. Stick to a schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. This helps tune your internal clock so you can fall asleep and sleep soundly.

5. Get regular exercise: Physical activity promotes good sleep (just avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime). 

6. Take Rest and Rewind or Dream Serene: These Shaklee products contain powerful ingredients that help us calm our body to prepare us for sleep.

➡️ What habits do you think will help you get a better night’s sleep? What can you try tonight? Tell us in the comments! 

Graphic: Tips for Better Sleep