In many cases, it's wise to listen to your body and do what it tells you. But when it comes to managing stress, your body can fool you!
When you're anxious, it's common to crave caffeine, nicotine, refined sugar, white flour, and salt. You may think indulging these cravings will bring temporary relief, but in fact you'll wind up placing even more stress on your system. Example: Cookies, donuts and soft drinks deplete B-complex vitamins, which you need to fight off stress.
- Resist your cravings for sweets or salty snacks. Instead, prepare healthy alternatives and bring them to work. Examples:
A bag of peeled carrots;
- Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt mixed with pure maple syrup;
- Whole-grain, low-salt crackers; and
- Fresh fruits.
It's True! The availability of over-the-counter vitamins and minerals has soared in recent years, leading to rapid growth in bottled supplements. Some people make up for their poor eating habits by loading up on supplements, but that's misguided. It's fine to take one multivitamin a day, but check with your doctor if you want to experiment with more supplements. Your EAP can help you get information and advice on nutrition.
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Tip Increase your resilience to stress by snacking on potassium-rich foods. Examples include bananas, apples, oranges, carrots and tomatoes. As a bonus, fresh fruits and vegetables give you a natural burst of energy.
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