Occasional stress is normal for all people, but too much stress can start to become a hindrance on both your work performance and your happiness. Here are a few simple ways that you can beat stress before it even starts to happen.

1. Catch it in advance. Take note of things that make you feel stressed so that you can handle them before they get worse. For example, if you frequently feel stressed out about your email inbox because you know how quickly it can build up, set aside a few minutes each morning to devote to tackling those emails.
2. Control your body language. Your physical behavior plays a large role in your stress levels. If you chew your fingernails, you encourage more stress, but if you sit up straight, take deep breaths and fake a smile, it can have a positive effect on your mood.
3. Unplug. If you obsessively check your phone all day at work, that behavior can carry over into your personal life. Turn off your phone after you leave the office, and avoid checking your email until you go back to work the next morning.
4. Be decisive. If you’re stressed out about the thought of making an important decision, get it out of the way. The more you let something stew the more it can build up in your mind, so do whatever you can to decide on a solution and move on.

15 Easy Ways to Bust Work Stress [MSN]
7 Ways to Bust Stress [SheKnows]
Easy Ways to Bust Stress [Bubblews]
Top 10 Instant Stress Busters [Lifehacker]

Public Domain/Public Domain

It happens to even the most disciplined of dieter: You're going about your day, when, all of sudden, you develop an intense craving for a sweet or salty snack. If this sounds like you, you're not alone! In fact, junk food is created with the intention of inciting a snack attack! The makers of your favorite potato chip or chocolate bar spend countless hours developing their product to impart just the right amount of crunch, sweetness, and creaminess to ensure you come back for more. What's more, giving in to your favorite junk food releases feel-good receptors in the brain, causing an immediate boost in mood.

Now that you're aware that there's a science to junk food, you're likely still wondering how you can combat cravings. To outsmart a craving, you need to first identify the craving and the reason behind it. Are you stressed at work? Instead of reaching for the comfort foods Mom used to make, call a friend to talk about your situation. Are you dieting and being too restrictive with your meal plan? Instead of cutting out pizza or chocolate forever, allow yourself to indulge in a piece of chocolate or pizza every so often. Moderation is key.

The most effective way to stop over-indulging is to limit your access to junk food. Keep your cabinets clear of cookies, candies, and chips, and after abstaining for a certain amount of time, you'll likely find that you no longer crave junk food as much as you used to!

The Facts About Food Cravings [WebMD]
Why Your Brain Craves Junk Food (and What You Can Do About It) [Lifehacker]
Know Why You're Craving Food [Women's Health]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Andrew Mager

Putting a healthy spin on truly fast food, Mighty Khan’s brings a unique Mongolian barbecue experience to Herndon. Begin by filling a bowl from a salad-bar-style line with your choice of meats, under the sea selections, vegetarian-friendly tofu, and fresh-cut veggies. A pro tip: don’t be shy when it comes to building a mountainous bowl, as you are only limited to as much as your bowl can carry. Finish your custom creation off with your choice of over a dozen spices and sauces and decide your stir fry’s ultimate fate – will it be a spicy, blazing hot blend, a cayenne-infused coconut curry, or a tangy sweet and sour mix? End you bowl’s journey at the sprawling, sizzling grill, where grill warriors toss its contents with Mongolian barbecue swords, sauteeing and searing to perfection.

Mighty Khan’s sprawling dining room and speedy service make it a perfect spot for a lunch on-the-go, and the upbeat, fast-paced atmosphere create an excellent venue to start a night on the town or a fun family dinner.

Mighty Khan’s
2501 Centreville Road, O-11
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 793-1600
www.mightykhans.com
www.yelp.com/mighty-khans-herndon

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/mimolag