Invest in Yourself By Lauren Showers

Invest in Yourself
You are your biggest asset.
 
Times are getting tough when it comes to the dollar, and we are looking for everyway possible to stretch it just a little further. Before you consider cancelling your gym membership, taking a break from your yoga practice or cutting back on healthy supplements, think twice. This may be the only type of investment in a downturn economy that is guaranteed to show returns. Exercise is a study proven stress-buster and eating healthy is crucial to your wellbeing in the high stress world we live in today. 
 
The Holidays are around the corner which in itself can present quite the hair pulling emotions, along with 401Ks looking bleak, stocks going down… okay I need not remind you. Just the thought may make your blood pressure rise, which is another reason to keep that gym membership. (exercise reduces hypertension) 
 
Daily exercise will allow your body to release tension from the day, and your mind the chance to focus on something steady and unwind. While yoga is a great way to relax, it is cardio that is proven to be the best stress buster and relief of depression. The word cardio may paint a picture of the dreaded treadmill in a box gym with the only thing to look at being the lousy muted TV station in front of you. Try to let go of that idea, because cardio can be done pretty much anywhere. It can bring you to a boxing ring, a park, a scenic mountain, a biking trail or a neighborhood sidewalk; all of which are very pleasant and stress relieving environments. Add a stroll in your neighborhood park and an hour massage to your weekend schedule, and your load is feeling lighter already. 
 
Beyond simply relieving stress, keeping yourself active and focusing on investing in yourself when times get tough will keep you away from the doctor’s office which means away from insanely high physician bills. Stress causes illnesses and illness causes stress, so do yourself a favor and break the cycle. Maintaining your health through the right diet, and exercise, as well as mental restoration through yoga or relaxation techniques are the type of investments that will show great returns in your wellbeing.  You will find yourself skipping right past flu season without a sniffle.
 
Eating right by getting the right amounts of protein, fruits, veggies, whole grains and healthy fats from nuts/seeds and oils, has a huge ROI. You will have more energy, feel younger, lose unwanted weight, and feel better about yourself. I recommend 5-6 small balanced meals a day (with one or two of those meals being a protein shake or natural food bar) taking your multivitamins and drinking lots of water. It’s that simple, a little investment with huge returns. 
 
You are your biggest asset, so make sure that through all that’s going on in the world around you; your “health stock” doesn’t go down too.