Eliminate stress if you want to look good at the beach this summer

WANT to look like this at the beach? There’s a very simple thing you need to get rid of, says Tim Robards, and the end of the year can be the hardest time to do it.

THE casting call is out. Beach bodies are needed that look great in the colour red!

A remake of Baywatch is currently underway and they’re casting as we speak. Sure it’s a long shot and you can’t act to save your life, but neither could the originals.

For most of us who grew up in the 90s, especially the hormone charged teenagers, the thought of being rescued on a beach by CJ Parker or carried to safety by the strapping Logan was the equivalent of being sweated on by a band member at a One Direction concert.

Or was that just me?

Does someone need to be rescued?

However small our chances of a call up, most of us still want to look great and feel confident when heading down to the beach for a dip this summer.

Early new year’s resolutions kick in that are inspired by the change in weather. The gyms start to get a little busier, the workout gear gets a little lighter and the fake tan gets heavier. Everyone gets focused on cleaning up their winter diets and getting into a regular workout routine.

But to really change your body’s composition and maximise your fat burning ability, as well as achieving clearer skin and a summer glow, there’s one thing you need to get rid of: Stress.

By reducing stress you will help to reduce cortisol. If this stress hormone is out of balance it can be responsible for weight gain, sleep depravation and immunity disfunction.

Many of us heading into the silly season are under increased pressure at work to complete projects for the year, while at the same time going large at every Christmas party we can get our hands on.

This combination of work stress, biochemical stress and physical stress from lack of sleep can be a recipe for disaster.

The best way to reduce stress? Make some time for you, on the beach and relax. Picture: Instagram

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Any type of meditation or mindful breathing will reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels. Soak in some extra sun when you can, take up yoga, focus on getting a regular sleep pattern — whatever you need to do to give back to yourself.

Here are five simple things to try:

1. Take a few minutes to write in a journal each day.

2. Listen to a 10 minute guided meditation. I prefer the Headspace app.

3, Exercise on a regular basis, no matter how little.

4. Have a big Epsom salt bath.

5. Focus on mindfulness — concentrating on one task at a time and being present. It limits the chatter in your head which is like trying to have a conversation in a busy cafe with 10 other convos going on around you. Focus on one task, do it well and tick it off before you move onto the next.

Enjoy yourself this summer and make sure you take time for you. You don’t need to be Baywatch ready, but rather just look and feel the best version of you.

Summer is about getting out with friends and enjoying this beautiful country we have! Feeling confident in your own skin is important, and that starts with restoring balance in your life.

Remember the triad of health … Eat right, move right, Think right!

Dr Tim Robards is a Chiropractor and exercise scientist (B. Med. Sc, M. Chiro) and regular news.com.au columnist. Tim recently launched his unique exercise and diet program The Robards Method. You can follow Tim on Instagram and Twitter.