Are You Stressed?

I am well-acquainted with feelings of stress and anxiety. Since I have Crohn’s Disease, it is very important for me to manage my stress and anxiety because it is has a huge effect on my health. I feel the effects of stress much more quickly and more strongly than before I was diagnosed. All of us have experienced stress at some point or another, and many of us experience it every day. This blog will give you a brief overview of stress.

Not everyone feels stress in the same way. Some of the effects of stress include:

• A faster heart rate
• Skipped heartbeats
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Dizziness
• Loose stools
• Frequent need to urinate
• Dry mouth
• Problems swallowing
• Hard time focusing
• Feel tired most of the time
• Lose your temper more often
• Sexual problems
• Problems falling or staying asleep
• Nightmares

Almost anything can cause a person stress and/or anxiety. Life changes are a major source of stress, as well as stressful relationships, jobs, etc. Some medications can also cause or worsen symptoms of stress. Caffeine, cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco products may also cause or make symptoms of stress or anxiety worse.

How do you help manage your stress?

• Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
• Get enough sleep and exercise.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Do not use nicotine, cocaine, or other street drugs.
• Learn and practice ways to relax. Find out about yoga, tai chi, or meditation.
• Take breaks from work. Balance fun activities with your job and family duties.
• Schedule leisure time every day.
• Spend time with people you enjoy, including your family.
• Try learning to make things with your hands, playing an instrument, or listening to music.
• Think about what might be giving you stress. Keep a diary of what is going on when you have these feelings. Then, find someone you trust who will listen to you. Often just talking to a friend or loved one is all that you need to feel better. Check if your community has support groups and hotlines.
• Ask your health care provider if any drugs or medicines you are taking can cause anxiety.

Reasons you may want to seek more help are:

• You have feelings of panic, such as dizziness, rapid breathing, or a racing heartbeat.
• You are unable to work or function at home or at your job.
• You have fears that you cannot control.
• You are having memories of a traumatic event.
• You have suicidal feelings.
• Do not stop taking any prescribed medicines without talking to your doctor.

Adapted from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003211.htm

The Amazing Powerful Pineapple

It is no secret that I love to travel. One of the places I have traveled several times is the Hawaiian Islands. One of the best things about the Hawaiian Islands is the amazing fruit they grow there - mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and more! Eating fruit directly off the tree, sun-ripened is amazing. On one visit, our little apartment had a mango tree in the yard, so each morning we would eat sun-ripened and warmed mangoes for breakfast! Soooo good… But back to the pineapples. We even went to the Dole Plantation on Oahu and took a tour to see the pineapple growing!

Hawaii is known as the place pineapple comes from even though Christopher Columbus actually brought them back from South America. People in South America use pineapple to treat digestive problems and inflammation. One cup of pineapple contains only 82 calories, but a whopping 131% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C! It also contains vitamin A, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, manganese, potassium, antioxidants and polyphenols like beta-carotene.

What the amazing pineapple can do:

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which has been used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, inhibit tumor growth and speed recovery after surgery.

Foods containing beta-carotene, including pineapple, help reduce the risk for people to develop asthma. They also help prevent the formation of free radicals which can cause cancer and can impair fertility.

The vitamin C in the pineapple is great for your skin and helps prevent aging.

Fruit in general is great for heart health, preventing diabetes, eye health and blood pressure.

Now I know pineapple can be a little intimidating, right? How do you choose a good pineapple? Pick one with a firm body and no bruising. If you are buying canned, look for pineapple that is canned in its own juice, no heavy syrup.

Click here for directions on how to cut your pineapple.

Note: Those who have impaired kidney function or those with GERD should be careful not to eat too much pineapple.

Here are some great recipe ideas that incorporate the amazing, powerful pineapple!

Coconut Pineapple Banana Smoothie

Pineapple Banana Muffins

Super Easy Pineapple Whip

Pineapple & Portobello Tacos

Can You Be Healthy and Heavy?

How much does your weight affect your health? Can you be healthy and still be considered "overweight"? A new study suggests that the connection between weight and health may not be as clear cut as doctors and health professionals previously thought. While it is still clear that seriously obese people die a bit earlier (as do people who are too skinny), people who were considered overweight actually may live a little longer than people considered a normal weight. Researchers say this may be because medicine has gotten better at managing disease, and the study measured death rates not disease rates.  Or it could be that what we see as healthy may be skewed.

You could have two people who have the exact same Body Mass Index (BMI) and one could be healthy and the other not healthy. An example would be Rebecca Fox of NYC who is considered obese. She has normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. She also does CrossFit four times a week and competes in triathlons. And yet, there are many people who are overweight or obese who struggle with a host of medical problems or find that their weight hinders them in everyday activities.

While some people may actually need to lose weight to become more healthy, it is important to keep health as the primary reason for lifestyle changes. Using body shame as motivation to improve your health doesn't work and often leads to unhealthy and dangerous yo-yo dieting. Studies show that the majority of women perceive underweight women as "ideally healthy" and that isn't necessarily the case.

It is possible to become a healthier person without losing a pound. Often focusing on becoming healthy will cause a person to naturally lose weight. Regardless, becoming healthier will make you feel better, your life will be more enjoyable and you will find that you are happier with the person that you are!