Holidays

Combating Holiday Stress

There are so many reasons why the stress meter during the holidays is always on 10. The shopping and the crowds, the back to back diet busting holiday parties, the house guests and the over budget impromptu spending.  With all of those things to look forward to, no wonder you’re STRESSED OUT. If you can relate to any of these, then read on for effective ways to get you out of PANIC mode and on the road to holiday bliss.

Even though it may be cold outside, you can still benefit from enjoying some sunshine.  It stimulates the production of feel-good serotonin and also helps relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which impacts millions of Americans every year. To ease SAD symptoms, spend time outdoors or near a window on sunny days, or ask your doc about phototherapy (treatment using a box that emits full-spectrum light).

Next, for an all day pick me up, dab a little lemon or orange essential oil on a handkerchief, put it in your pocket and you instantly have a mood enhancer.  Researchers studying depression have found that certain citrus fragrances boost feelings of well-being and alleviate stress by upping levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that affects mood. 

Now, as for walking, it does more than keep the pounds at bay.  Did you know that you can actually walk your worries away. Studies have shown that the rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing effect on your brain, and it decreases anxiety and improves sleep, so you should aim for a brisk, half-hour walk every day.

Nothing combats stress better than good old fashioned sleep, but you may be having trouble getting your zzz’s.  With that being said, you can achieve better sleep with a plant extract, commonly known as 5-HTP, it’s available in capsule form and it is known to increase serotonin, reduce anxiety and improve sleep.  As always, consult your primary care physician and do your own due diligence. There’s nothing like an aware and educated person when it comes to your own health and wellcare.

Next way to beat stress, may be new to many of you, just as it was to me, when I first stumbled upon this, but IT WORKS! Give it a TRY!  Squeeze the fleshy part of your hand between the thumb and your index finger. This area is called the Hoku spot in traditional Chinese medicine.  Applying firm pressure there for just 30 seconds can reduce stress and tension in your upper body. So if you start to feel overwhelmed by the holiday chaos, give your hand a squeeze and take a deep breathe.

Now, the next tip is easier said than done, but here we go – Do less, Enjoy more.  All of us have been guilty of this at one time or another, but I”ve come to realize that the only person who will notice or even care for that matter if you cooked 3 sides instead of 5 is YOU.  We go overboard overextending ourselves when it comes to shopping, cooking, sending cards and attending every event. Instead take care of yourself by saying NO at least once and maybe more, remember, they’ll still LOVE YOU and with social media, you won’t miss a thing, lol.

This next tip right here, is one that I do well. Stick with your daily routine, which means, keep your regular workout schedule, your weekly book club get together, etc., whatever it is.  Try not to bombard your schedule with so many extra things, aka more holiday than you can handle, they’re just THINGS that will zap your energy from the things that matter the most.

Finally, we’re going to wrap this thing up with the best thing ever – don’t forget to LAUGH!  Laughter reduces stress hormones, which in turn, helps the immune cells function better. So, remember to stay JOLLY!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!