Reduce Stress
Stress can be a contributing factor to heartburn. Stress can also lead you to indulge in the kind of behaviors that trigger heartburn. When life gets hectic, for instance, you’re more likely to eat fast food, drink caffeinated beverages, neglect your exercise routine, and smoke too much. All of these activities can trigger heartburn.
Keep your sanity in check and heartburn at bay with these stress-reducing tips:
Keep your sanity in check and heartburn at bay with these stress-reducing tips:
- * Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can significantly reduce stress while keeping you fit and healthy. Exercise gives you more energy and improves your ability to sleep — two important factors in controlling stress and reducing tension.
- * Take a deep breath: Breathing isn’t just something that keeps us alive — it can also clear our heads and calm us down. Stress causes muscles to tense up and our breathing to become shallow. Taking a few slow, deep breaths is one of the best ways to reduce stress.
- * Prioritize what you need to accomplish, and delegate the rest: Trying to do everything yourself only adds to your stress level. Keep a list of what you need to accomplish at home and work, in order of priority. Check off each item as you go, and look for ways to delegate chores and responsibilities to others. Learn to say "no" and be realistic about what you can accomplish during a day.
- * Remember to laugh: A sense of humor helps keep things in perspective and is one of the fastest ways to deflate a stressful situation.
