Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink! Optimal water intake in the presence of stress will allow for better transport of water-soluble nutrients, as well as help eliminate metabolic toxins. Your daily water intake should be 1.5 to 2 liters per day. You should start drinking water first thing in the morning to compensate for water loss during the night via breathing, sweating and urine formation. Water consumption should be continued throughout the morning and afternoon. The target for each of these periods is 500 to 750 ml. Finally, before going to bed, make a habit of having another 250 ml of water. Never leave the house without your water bottle. This way, it will be easier to meet your daily hydration needs. You can also choose to liven things up by adding a slice of orange or a lemon wedge to your water, or even some fresh mint leaves!

Start moving! Regular physical activity (a minimum of three hours weekly) optimizes the body’s use of nutrients by stimulating circulation. Being physically active also helps dissipate psychological stress and reduces muscle tension. Exercise further promotes the secretion of endorphins which have a calming effect on the central nervous system. Physical activity is also associated with improved cardiac capacity, better peripheral circulation, improved brain oxygenation, restful sleep, reduced anxiety and nervousness and better weight management. Brisk walking, jogging, stationary cycling, rollerblading and cross-country skiing are all excellent choices.

Restful sleep helps boost the immune system and stimulates the secretion of growth hormone. You should aim for an average of seven to eight hours per night. Our stressful modern lifestyles can sometimes make it difficult to respect the body’s natural sleep rhythms, however, respecting one’s natural rhythm can greatly reduce the body’s overall stress load. Make sure you go to bed at fixed times every night – including weekends. This healthy habit will reduce stress levels and help to reduce sleep latency (how long it takes you to fall asleep). In addition, try to avoid watching television in the bedroom. Doing a little light reading can however be calming before bed.

Integrating a daily relaxation activity for 15 to 30 minutes can significantly bolster the body’s ability to manage stress. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, relaxation, visualization, music therapy or massage therapy, the beneficial effects of practising daily relaxation techniques are guaranteed to reduce stress in the short to medium term. Making changes to one’s overall lifestyle hygiene and diet can take time and a little getting used to. An adjustment period is thus to be expected, so don’t put additional stress on yourself. Take the time you need to gradually get used to your new healthy habits.

10 ViaZen Stress Health Tips
To integrate daily!

1. Have your meals in a calm environment, conducive to an efficient digestion.
2. Eat three complete meals at set times, interspersed with a PROTEIN snack in the morning and afternoon. Avoid eating in the evenings.
3. Plan three weekly meals featuring fatty fish (wild salmon, sea trout, herring, sardines, mackerel).
4. Consume a MAXIMUM of one glass of alcohol (ideally red wine) per day, with a meal. Enjoy!
5. Replace coffee with green tea.
6. Eat 2 to 3 WHOLE fruits and 8 to 10 servings of FRESH vegetables daily: raw, salads, fresh pressed juice, steamed, sautéed in olive oil.
7. Drink 6 to 8 glasses (250 ml) of water daily.
8. Get in one hour of physical activity three times a week.
9. Allow yourself a 15-minute relaxation period daily.
10. Take one capsule of ViaZen Stress with each meal.