A few things shown to lower cortisol levels:

1. Job pressure tops the list (of course in education it goes without saying)--the KEY to coping is to Find Meaning! Beyond the fact that we are preparing them for the future, remember one person you see every day may be coming to see YOU!!!!! It only takes a connection with ONE person to succeed where the stats stack up against them.

2. Go find the ones you LOVE--Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society just published another study that shows social animals in GROUPS show improved recovery from distress in daily anxieties! Give yourself 30 minutes a day with lovable people (not grouchy people)!

3. Eat more snacks--Increase your intake of whole food sources with tyrosine and tryptophan (amino acids that balance neurotransmitters). Choose foods like chicken, yogurt, avocado, spinach, oats and nuts!

Here are 3 tips to use during CSAP month or any time there are big tests going on. EACH will improve their test scores and ATTITUDE...but especially the Proctors (that means you)!!!

Tricks:
1. Bring in orange and lavender scent! U of Vienna researchers found patients had lower stress in blood chemistry in the DENTIST'S office! Lower stress improves academics!
2. PLAY baroque music while they enter the room (Bach is one example) 50% of Radiologists tested by U of Pennsylvania said they were happier with their work, and 63% said they were in a BETTER mood!
Lower stress improves academics!
3. Drink tea daily (even up to 4 cups of green or black tea) and encourage students as well. It is as good as we are told, not only does it reduce bad cholesterol (something all your students are anxious over) but it increases blood flow...which allows for their brain to process information, think and recall! Another bonus? A cup of tea provides polyphenols which has been shown to reduce bad breath! And you thought you wouldn't read this email?!
Better smelling breath improves educators quality of life!

More tips for a healthy lifestyle:

I know from watching commercials that we are all supposed to be joining something or ordering something to surgically remove the holidays from around our bellies. Remember to go for a 30 minute stroll each day.
Two things you can do TODAY to feel better after any Holiday Damages? Eat breakfast and lunch but substitute a Protein Shake (or have a salad ONLY) for dinner and go for a walk with someone you think needs it as much as I do!
Couple of things to help bolster any health resolution: Belly fat is pretty freaky! STRESS is also called cortisol, cortisol increases belly fat. Having belly fat means your body over produces hormones that correlate with heart disease, diabetes, breast and colon cancer...