Stress is a difficult factor of everyone’s life, but coping with stress in a positive way can make a huge difference in your health. A study conducted by Penn State suggests that eating 1.5 3 ounces of pistachios a day may reduce your biological response to stresses of everyday life, such as high blood pressure.

“We can’t avoid all the stressors in our lives, but my research has shown that eating nuts (such as pistachios, walnuts) and fruits and vegetables high in potassium can reduce your body’s biological response to stress,” says Dr. Sheila West, researcher at Penn State.

According to the American Psychological Association, stress can be a reaction to a short-lived situation, such as being stuck in traffic, or can last a long time if you’re dealing with serious traumatic situations. Stress becomes dangerous when it interferes with your ability to live a normal life over an extended period.

Who’s Stressing?

An APA poll on the causes of stress reports that two-thirds (66%) of Americans identify the economy as a significant source of stress in their lives and three-quarters (75%) are stressed by money. In addition, almost one half of Americans (48%) report that job stability is a significant cause of stress. Being aware of stress is important, but these triggers may be unchangeable.

“Stress affects the body physically just as much as it does mentally,” says Green Nut Ambassador and Livestrong.com Nutrition Advisor Alyse Levine. “When you can’t change your circumstances to reduce stress, the best thing to do is take care of your body through diet, exercise and adequate sleep.”

The Green Way to Cope

Alyse offers these tips to help combat stress in healthy ways:

Incorporate pistachios: A study conducted by Penn State suggests that eating pistachios may reduce your body’s response to stresses of everyday life, such as high blood pressure.

Swap out processed snacks and meals with unprocessed foods: Consuming fresh produce, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein is the best way to gain the nutrients that your body needs when under pressure.

Exercise at least three times a week: Not only does exercise keep you healthy and boost your energy levels, it’s a great alternative to snacking on unhealthy foods as a way to relieve stress.

Find a ‘happy place’: Finding a positive outlet for your stress can be very beneficial to your overall health. Instead of going out for a drink after work, go for a walk in the park, take a yoga class or meditate.

Spend time with others: Oftentimes when people are stressed, they cut out quality time with friends and family to make time for work. Making time for loved ones can be calming and restorative to your health, actually making you more productive when you get back to work.

For more information, visit www.thegreennut.org.

Join us for Season 2 of Transmute and Release Trauma

I’ve had to stop, pause and take a moment to reflect on all the growth, challenges, change, progress, and blessings I experienced last year.

More than anything, I can heartfully say it was a rock and roll “wowza” year for so many. I give you all a hug for enduring the ups and downs and all-arounds, and for choosing to move forward with fortitude, knowing that life is cyclical, and always full of surprises. Yes, change is the only constant!

I can easily admit that I too have been challenged in ways I never thought were possible. Many nights I have felt scared to take on my days and weeks ahead, simply feeling too overwhelmed to handle all that I have said yes to.

And there have been many days where I have felt that if I heard one more sad, intense, or outright horrible story…I would just lose it.

It is through self-care and all of its faces, that we can carefully and thoughtfully return to our true nature, no matter what is occurring in the outer world. This I know for sure!

Looking back at last year, I’ve worked with hundreds of people to launch a most important health care movement of our lifetime, called the Self-Care Revolution (SCR). I am grateful that Santa Fe Soul Health and Healing Center (that we built in 2005) is the home of the SCR. We also celebrated the first SCR LIVE event with 22 speakers and two documentary films in June. Many people have commented that this event was simply “life changing.”

Last year, I was fortunate to travel regularly (mostly for business) and to enjoy the growth of my two children (Harrison 14 and Hannah 12).

As of today, we are finishing off the year with the launch of our full year Self-Care Revolution series. Stay tuned for details on how you can have this full library of speakers and coaches on every topic of healthy living centered on 12 themes that will help just about any health issue you could possibly have.

I couldn’t be more thankful for the blessings I received in 2013, and now, I want to pay it forward.

This newsletter is my thanks to the universe and my gift to you. It’s my way of paying it forward by providing you with amazing content twice a month to support, guide, and encourage you on your self-care journey and a tool for you to share with loved ones you care to invite to join you in a life of optimal, radiant and sustainable health.

Please take a moment to browse this “birth” issue and let me know what you think.

Yours In Health,
Robyn