Stress blocks weight loss. Get these stress-busting tips…

How many times during the day do you hear that little voice in your head saying something like this?

I need to hurry up or I’m going to be late!
Dang. I’M LATE AGAIN.

My desk (room, car, kitchen…) is such a mess. I’ve got to get it cleaned up!
Another day gone by and I didn’t do a thing to get organized. IT’S STILL A MESS.

It was such a hectic day at work. I don’t have any food at home to cook for dinner – and I’m starving!
So here I am at the fast food drive-thru again ordering MORE JUNK FOOD.

I felt so motivated when I joined the gym last month but I haven’t gone once!
I’m so exhausted! All I want to do is go home and collapse on the couch – AS USUAL.

What’s wrong with me? I really need to get my SH*T together!

If you’re like the rest of us humans (and you probably are), you’ve got a lot on your plate and it’s causing you to feel stressed every day. Unfortunately, stress has a very negative impact on our health. According to research, it can lower immunity and increase susceptibility to disease. Stress can contribute to weight gain and it can lead to depression.

Stress in making us SICK, FAT, AND SAD.

Don’t let this unhealthy way of life continue another day! The New Year is here and it’s the perfect time to take action. Use these 3 simple tips to help cut the stress in your life.

Tip 1: Move More. Popular beliefs notwithstanding, exercise is relaxing. According to a recent study, researchers found that a 30-minute lunchtime walk, 3 days per week, improved enthusiasm, relaxation, and nervousness at work.

Walking is a great way to move more, but it’s not the only way. Here are 22 simple ways to get moving during the day and there’s no gym or cost involved. The key is to start slow, keep it simple, and be consistent.

Tip 2: Meditate Regularly. Are you a skeptic when it comes to meditation? Well, you’re not alone. Self-proclaimed “fidgety skeptic” Dan Harris of NBC News explains how meditation transformed his life after having a live nationally-televised panic attack on Good Morning America. Watch . . .

Now if that doesn’t convince you, researchers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore reviewed nearly 19,000 meditation studies and found evidence from 47 trials that suggest mindfulness meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain.

To get started, check out these free guided meditations. Just 10 minutes a day can have a positive impact on reducing your stress.

Tip 3: Don’t Diet. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, dieting causes such side effects as stress, anxiety, depression, irritability, and low self-esteem. Eating too few calories or carbohydrates can increase stress because both are necessary for proper brain function and the production of feel-good chemicals, such as serotonin.

Also, very low calorie or other extremely strict diets can temporarily increase the release of stress hormones such as cortisol, making us feel more hungry and prone to eat. This typically occurs after several weeks of dieting which is around the same time that most people break the diet rules and overeat or binge.

If you are trying to get to a healthier weight, PLEASE DON’T DIET. Instead, eat mindfully and aim for balanced meals and snacks throughout the day. This can be difficult to do however, especially if you are a chronic dieter. With the right plan and support however, it is possible.