Tips for a stress-free summer

SUMMER may not be a stress-free idyll for everyone. Whilst many come to Spain for a relaxed way of life, for others it’s become a fast-paced lifestyle and a struggling to find the right balance between work, rest and play and there can be no harder time to find the balance between work and enjoying the regular fiestas than in the summer.

Extra pressure on our bodies can affect adrenal glands and lead to adrenal fatigue causing everything from weight gain to insomnia and mood swings. With life becoming ever more stressful, here’s some simple steps you can take to strike a balance:

• Breathe correctly: A simple thing that many people don’t think about. Stress often changes the way we breathe and how deeply and effectively we breathe can impact muscles and overall health. If you don’t breathe correctly it can lead to neck ache and tension headaches so be aware of your breathing.

• Try pink salt: Too much salt can be harmful but a small amount is necessary to maintain water balance. Try Himalayan pink salt as it contains small amounts of other valuable minerals which can help support adrenal function and bone strength.

• Calm start: Hitting the snooze button in the morning and falling back to sleep can deny the body of the time it needs to wake up, therefore causeing confusion in the stress hormone. Instead of snoozing for 20 minutes, try getting up and spending that time doing something for yourself e.g. practising yoga or meditating to calm you and prepare for the day ahead.

• Go for green tea: When tired or drained we reach for coffee for an energy boost but high doses of caffeine and other stimulants found in coffee can cause the body to make more stress hormones. Opt for green tea instead, it has a natural substance L-theanine that has a relaxing effect on the mind, reducing anxiety, helping you focus.