Overcoming stress

By Ruth Olurounbi

Photo: Cornelius Oyemade
STRESS is not a respecter of persons, and so, every one will undergo stress in his life, without the question of age and sex. Here are tips on how to over come it without loosing sweat.

• Never accept stress as part of your reality, instead, go out and change things. The resultant effect is a positive feeling that you will put your mind back on greater achievements. Your attitude plays a big role in your stress level.

• Do some window-shopping, or chat with a friend you meet along the way.

• Reduce your alcohol intake as alcohol decreases the secretion of growth hormone, while lengthening recovery time.

• Learn about your body limits. What works for another may not work for you and remember those lessons and respect them in the future. Doing this will not only keep you active, it will help you reduce illness to a minimum.

• Reduce your workouts as too much is counterproductive.

• Push up your confident level. A confident attitude increases your mental and physical power. Everyone has negative aspects of life. Don’t let them weigh you down. Remember, confidence is different from arrogance. It is the recognition that you can set limits for your achievements.

• Don’t let other people’s lack of confidence rob of your own. Develop the “I can” attitude, for the truth is, there are a lot of negative people in the world, and they will like nothing better than to drag you down to their level. The decision to allow them or not is yours.

• Sleep for a long time, the brain reboots in the time you are sleeping. A sound sleep of eight hours will reduce stress to a large extent. Researches have prove that people who don’t sleep for eight hours have problems such as less intellectual abilities, less patience levels and are preys of depressions and stress.

• Indulge yourself. Enjoy sunsets, go to the beach. Take yourself out. Do something nice for yourself. Go get a massage, try a steam bath, sauna or Jacuzzi. You could even reminiscence about a pleasant experience in your past.

• Eat well balanced meals. There is no law that says you can’t eat good meals, irrespective of your economic status. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits. Thank God it is the rainy season. Minimise your intake of red meat and go for white ones. You could eat more fish.

• Set realistic goals. Set goals that are attainable. Doing otherwise will make you worry and you may develop ulcers.

Cocktails

THE cold season is here and the temperatures can get frosty. Here are recipes for some cocktails that will bring warmths to your cold nights.

Hot Spiked Cider
Try using a locally-produced apple cider, if possible. Local ingredients make it to the market faster and therefore are fresher. To make things extra festive, serve this cider in mugs rimmed with sugar, or topped with orange twists, whipped cream or nutmeg.

Ingredients:
2 quarts apple cider
2 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 shots apple brandy
Directions:
Heat cider with cloves and cinnamon.
Pour a shot of apple brandy into a mug and fill with cider.
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray on Food Network’s 30 Minute Meals
Champagne and Pomegranate Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon fresh pomegranate arils, optional
4 ounces Champagne
1/2 teaspoon store bought pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon cassis

Directions:
Place fresh pomegranate arils, if using, into a Champagne flute.
Pour Champagne into flute, add pomegranate juice and cassis.
Vanilla Hot Chocolate Seduction

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1/2 cup vanilla syrup
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
1 vanilla bean
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped
2 oz. white chocolate liqueur
2 oz. Triple Sec
marshmallows for garnish

Instructions:
1. Pour milk, vanilla syrup and salt into a medium-size saucepan. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture is hot. Do not boil.
2. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to the saucepan.
3. Add the white chocolate and stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Don’t rush this step by turning up the heat, or the white chocolate may seize. Stir in the liqueurs and blend.
4. Pour the hot chocolate into four mugs and serve immediately, topped with marshmallows.

(Courtesy Hot Chocolate: 50 Heavenly Cups of Comfort, Harvard Common Press: 2006, by Fred Thompson)