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Top 10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays
 As the festive holiday season
is upon us, many find it stressful to keep up with often-unrealistic
demands and expectations of family, friends and events. The solution to an
enjoyable celebration is to relax and take good care of ourselves, which in turn
will increase energy and reduce stress levels.
 Take
time for yourself. Spending time with friends and family is essential, it�s also important to
set aside at least five minutes for yourself to relax. Try practicing deep
breathing exercises when you feel stressed out.
 Don't
set unrealistic exercise goals. Aim
to exercise 30 minutes a day instead of an hour. You�ll be sure to get at
least 30 minutes of physical activity per day without feeling disappointed
if you do not complete an hour.
 Enlist
a friend or family member to exercise with you.
Walking and talking with a
friend can be a great way to burn extra calories
and reduce your stress level.
 Create
new, more active traditions.
Instead of throwing a dessert or cocktail party, try snowshoeing or
ice-skating as an alternate holiday event. Play powder puff football or
build a snowman.
 Don't
try to lose weight or stick to a restrictive diet this holiday season.
If you
enjoy your favorite foods in small portions, you�ll feel more
satisfied. Trying to stay away from certain foods may leave you feeling
deprived, which may cause you to eat more than you planned.
  Drink
plenty of water. Although the cold
weather may make you less inclined to grab a glass of water, it is just as
important in the winter as it is during the summer. Water helps counter the
dehydrating effects of travel or drinking alcoholic beverages, and it may
also help satiate your appetite since thirst is often mistaken for hunger.
 Spread
out meals. Don�t feel like you
have to eat everything at once. Try eating dinner early and then taking a
walk before sitting down for dessert.
 Don't
overdo it with alcohol or caffeine.
These stimulants will only cause you more grief in the long-run by adding to
your feelings of stress. Try drinking hot herbal tea instead of coffee, and
keep the number of alcoholic drinks to a minimum.
 Enjoy the imperfections.
There is no such thing as the perfect party or the perfect decorations or
the perfect way to spend the holidays. Don�t set yourself up for
disappointment by placing unrealistic demands on yourself.
  Laugh.
Laughing is a great tension reliever. It burns calories, reduces stress and
usually means that you and those individuals in your presence are having an
enjoyable time.
Dated 28 December 2012
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