JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE may-june 2015 | Page 45

under a lot of stress. A reassuring voice, even for a minute, can put everything in perspective. Talk Yourself Through It Sometimes calling a friend is not an option. If this is the case, talking calmly to yourself can be the next best thing. Don’t worry about seeming crazy—just tell yourself why you're stressed out, what you have to do to complete the task at hand, and most importantly, that everything will be OK (trust us, it will be). Eat Right Stress levels and a proper diet are closely related. Unfortunately, it’s when we have the most work that we forget to eat well and resort to using sugary, fatty snack foods as a pick-me-up. Try to avoid Joy feelings magazine the vending machine and plan ahead. Fruits and vegetables are always good, and fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the symptoms of stress. A tuna sandwich really is brain food. Laugh It Off Laughter releases endorphins that improve mood and decrease levels of the stress-causing hormones cortisol and ad renaline. Laughing tricks your nervous system into making you happy. However, bursting into a fit of giggles at your desk may not be the most appropriate way to deal with stress. Our suggestion: watch some classic Monty Python skits like "The Ministry of Silly Walks." Those Brits are so