Are you feeling the crunch of the holiday season? Are you wondering if you will ever get everything done? Will you be spending some time with people you don’t typically socialize with? If you say yes to any of the above, your stress levels may be higher than normal. You may be experiencing headaches, muscle tension, anxiety, or other physical symptoms. You may find it difficult to fall asleep, or you may feel overwhelmed in other ways. Stress is your body’s way of responding to unpleasant things and/or worries. Let’s take a look at some ways to reduce and, hopefully, eliminate your stress.
- Remember there is no “perfect holiday.” While the media may suggest otherwise, it just isn’t true. We each create our own experiences and the joy comes from embracing what occurs. There may be broken toys, an overcooked pie, or an unappreciated gift. Don’t let things like that bring you down. Even better, try to find a way to have fun with the imperfections. Laughter goes a long way when things don’t work out quite the way you planned.
- Schedule some time for yourself each day to do whatever you want. One day it may be a coffee date with a friend, another day it may be the chance to curl up on the couch with a good book. Incorporating things you truly enjoy into your days will help keep you feeling grounded.
- Practice self-care. Spend time with positive people who lift your spirits, keep your schedule manageable, share your feelings with someone you trust, meditate, do some deep breathing, drink herbal tea, try aromatherapy, soak in the tub – whatever works for you.
- As mentioned in our last blog, get some exercise. Get moving for a bit and enjoy the endorphins. When you take care of your body, your mind and spirit will follow the positive energy flow.
- As always, keep making healthy food choices, get plenty of sleep, and drink lots of water. All these things will help keep hunger, energy, and cravings in check, which will lead to a happier you.
- Remember to take care of yourself. Take time to nurture yourself even when your days seem too busy to add one more thing. Self-care is a surefire way to combat stress. When you nurture yourself, you pave the way for increased joy in your life.
Next time we will talk about building a healthy foundation related to family, friends, positive outlook and, most importantly, a strong, healthy food foundation. Don’t forget to SMILE through the process! It is a challenge to stay focused but I have great confidence in each of you that you can be a success. You’re doing a great job. Keep up the fantastic work!