The holidays bring out the best in us. But sometimes they bring out the worst in the form of stress, anxiety and sleeplessness. Don’t let the pressure of nonstop parties, shopping, cooking and entertaining take the shine off your holiday spirit. Here are some tips for staying “chill” even when your to-do list is longer than Santa’s.
1) Stick to your holiday budget. The stress caused by overspending is a definite downer. So establish a budget, and avoid impulse buying.
2) Create a schedule. Review your calendar and designate days and times for shopping, baking, decorating, cleaning, and hitting the gym. If you adhere to your schedule, you’ll find you have time to spare.
3) Just say no. Accept the fact that you can’t do everything for everybody all the time. Then don’t be afraid to decline participation in gatherings and events that will have you running amuck.
4) Maintain your health and exercise regimen. Don’t use the holidays as an excuse to overindulge. Carry healthy snacks, avoid sweets and fatty foods, watch the alcohol consumption, and get plenty of sleep and exercise
5) Take a break. You’d be surprised how much a 15-minute nap can do to lower your blood pressure. And if you can’t sleep, turnoff the cell and turn on some soothing music while you take a walk around the block.
6) Hydrate. Everyone needs to drink three or four quarts of water daily to maintain maximum health. However, during the holidays we often eat salty foods that cause under-hydration which induces anxiety.
7) Play with your pets.Unconditional love is one of the best stress-relievers.
8) Look for laughs. It’s a medical fact – laughing chases tension right out the door. So spend time with happy people, go for light-hearted entertainment, and try out that comedy club downtown.
9) Take a hot bath. But first, sprinkle the water with sea salt and a favorite body oil to enjoy the full power of this relaxing self-indulgence.
10) Get some sun. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real syndrome brought on by a lack of natural light. Thus, if you’re constantly on the road in the dark, it can take a toll. The antidote is a walk or bike ride to soak up the daylight. But don’t forget your sunscreen.
ENJOY THE SEASON!
