Monday, April 6, 2015

How To Reduce Stress & a Chocolate Chia Smoothie Recipe (& a Natural Calm Giveaway - CLOSED)


Do you have any stress in your life? If you said "no" I'd really love to know your secret! Whether it's work and family commitments, illness, aging parents, sleep troubles, racing thoughts or a combination of all of the above, most of us experience some level of stress in our daily lives.

While our bodies are equipped to handle some stress, too much stress can have detrimental effects. The Mayo Clinic has identified these symptoms of stress - headache, muscle tension or pain, chest pain, fatigue, change in sex drive, stomach upset, sleep problems, anxiety, irritability, sadness, overeating, undereating and more! Gets you all stressed just thinking about it, doesn't it?


I really believe that treating yourself and your body kindly is the first step to overcoming stress. Daily challenges and difficulties are inevitable, so you need to be your own biggest advocate. Treat yourself with love, say "no" to activities and events that would send you over the edge, delegate when possible and reward yourself for just being awesome! Oh, and eat your veggies! (Mom was so right about that one!)



Bring on Balance!

Natural Vitality, the makers of Natural Calm (a much-used product for achieving calm in our house) have created a beautiful and inspiring Calmful Balance eGuide. This idea-packed magazine-style guide will have you ready to welcome calmful balance into your life. Put perfection on the back burner and cook up a life with more fun and less stress!

The book offers recipes, tips and reflections on bringing balance to:
  • your home
  • your eating
  • how you shop
  • helping the planet
  • handling stress

It's not about what you're doing wrong - rather it's about gently incorporating fun strategies that will bring some welcome balance to your stressful life. Be sure to download the gorgeous, full-colour, 28-page (and best of all free!) Calmful Balance eGuide and give yourself some much-deserved love and attention. You will also have access to other inspiring publications, such as the Green Chef's Ebook, the Kids Health Guide and online versions of Organic Connections magazine.



Whenever anybody tells me that they or their child is having trouble sleeping or is experiencing stress or anxiety, I ask them if they've tried Natural Calm. I only ever recommend products that I have personally tried and found helpful. This is one of those products. The night before that stressful first day of school in the fall, for example, will inevitably find us doling out Natural Calm to each family member. (It fizzes up in warm water and comes in several tasty flavours, such as lemon and raspberry-lemon.) Because many of us are woefully short on magnesium, Natural Calm can be used daily to enjoy the benefits of magnesium, which is essential for muscle and nerve function, a healthy immune system and strong bones. It is also great for relief of constipation. In fact, if you are new to Natural Calm, start with the smallest recommended dosage, because it can have a bowel-loosening effect.)*

 Read on for an exciting Natural Vitality giveaway!



We all know that diet and nutrition is so important when it comes to greeting each day with strength and determination and reducing the detrimental effects of stress. I'm not saying that you have to immediately give up fast food and desserts and take on a raw diet. I believe you'll be more successful by making small, gradual steps towards healthy eating. You could have a smoothie each morning for breakfast, for example, introducing a different ingredient each week. The makers of Natural Calm have shared this delicious, healthy chocolate chia smoothie recipe as inspiration. (Find more recipes in the ebook.)


Chocolate Chia Smoothie


by Natural Vitality
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Keywords: smoothie vegan vegetarian
Ingredients (1 serving)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 2/3 cup milk of choice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Natural Calm
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 medium banana, chopped and frozen
  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter (optional)
Instructions

Mix chia seeds with milk and Natural Calm. Let sit for 10 – 15 minutes to allow chia seeds to absorb some of the liquid.

Add the chia mixure to a blender, along with the cocoa powder, frozen banana, and nut butter (if using). Blend until smooth.

Powered by Recipage




Enter to Win a Natural Calm Prize Pack!


Natural Vitality has generously offered to give one lucky Woman in Real Life reader a prize pack (with a value of $80) including:


This contest is open to US and Canadian residents. Please enter using the rafflecopter below until April 28th. And don't forget to download your free eguide to help you achieve calm in your everyday life!

Tell us, how do you beat stress?


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*You must not rely on the information on this blog as an alternative to medical advice from your professional healthcare provider. 

  • **This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life!

50 comments:

  1. I usually sit myself down and do some breathing exercises!

    RAFFLECOPTER NAME is Anne Taylor

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    1. That's a great point Anne! I was doing some deep breathing yesterday. We forget to breathe fully most days, don't we?

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    1. Great combo Ashleigh! I need to get myself back into yoga!

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  3. Lately to beat stress I have been using a head tingler (funny name, awesome product!) and some nubby dryer balls for some self-massage. I would love to try Natural Calm, I have eyed it at my local supplement store more than once! --Camille

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  4. I exercise when I'm stressed.

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  5. deep breaths every hour. thanks

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  6. I go to the park with my son. Running around the playground is great to reduce stress and regain perspective!!

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  7. I read, watch movies ..anything that will get my mind off the stress

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  8. Most days I do yoga and or mediate - which helps immensely. On the days when there is no time - I do my best to stay present as I walk the dog,

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  9. I tend to be a stress eater, NOT good! So, I try to get up and move instead. Taking a walk in the sunshine is the best.

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  10. Leslie:
    The best destressor I know is to sit by a lake, river, ocean, or other body of water.Unforunately, the commute to one is a problem.

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  11. I usually go for long walks to clear my head but if I'm not able to get out of the house I do yoga, I find it really helps me.

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  12. Destress by drinking green tea and reading a book. great giveaway too.

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  13. I go for a long walk with my dog.

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  14. I have been doing pilates for about 2 years now and I find it a great workout and also calming.

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  15. I have a bubble bath most evenings for alone time...

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  16. Walks, hot bath & a cup of tea.

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  17. Deep breaths, watching TV, reading.

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  18. I try to get enough sleep, take nice warm baths and a glass of wine.

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  19. I sit down with a coffee and listen to music

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  20. I try to have some time after the kids are in bed, just to have some me time.

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  21. I am working on mindful meditation to beat stress.

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  22. I do yoga, water workout and walk!

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  23. take time out for myself and listen to easy soft music

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  24. I go to my room to be by myself. I also go for walks. My mom passed away almost a year ago on May 2nd. My anxiety has been really bad the past couple of weeks. Could really use it. I have chia seeds too on that ps a sing I must win. Lol.

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  25. I try to distract myself by thinking about something else.

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  26. I beat stress by meditating for 5 minutes a day! lumpy_lump_in_my_oatmeal@yahoo.com

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  27. I find going for a long walk helps me!

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  28. Take multivitamins, exercise and drink coffee

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  29. I go on a walk or listen to music.

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  30. I watch movies and read blogs.

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  31. I watch youtube videos.

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  32. I practice breathing exercises and veg out with reality tv

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  33. My stress busters include cranking some good tunes and opening the windows or taking a hot, steamy bath at the end of a long day...

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