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Top 10 to Combat Holiday Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, the three main trigger points of holiday
stress
and depression are relationships, finances and
physical demands. So,
eat,
drink
and be active.
 Exercise Every Day
Get out of the house for a walk
to view the
Christmas lights and decorations
in the evening. Be sure to dress for the weather and take along a flashlight to
illuminate your path. Exercise is probably one of the most underrated stress
relievers that there is and it can be as simple as getting out, getting a change
of scene, going around the block once. Walking,
jogging,
swimming, yoga or
aerobics exercises are one of the most effective remedies for
stress. Daily
20-30 minutes exercise session helps you in relaxing the body. It decreases
anxiety and strengthens the immune system.
 Combine Shopping and Walking
Indoor malls are great places to walk and many have walking clubs. Check with
the mall management to see what they offer. Get there early before the crowds
get too heavy. If you are planning on shopping in a particular store, park near
and entrance on the opposite end of the mall - even if time is short you will
still get some exercise.
 Stay
hydrated and do not skip meals
Eat your meals generally at the same time each day. If a holiday dinner will be
delayed, have a small
snack at the time of your normal meal to avoid low blood
sugar levels and prevent overeating.
Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water to stay hydrated. 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.
 Vegetables and Salad First
If you are at a party with a lot of tempting food, try to start with healthy
vegetables and
salads. These will fill you up and reduce the temptation to
over-indulge on high fat, high calorie foods. Just a taste of your holiday
favorites should satisfy your taste buds. Potatoes, cantaloupe, strawberries,
raw cabbage and citrus fruits are very beneficial in combating stress. These are
the easiest and safe home remedies for stress. These are full of
antioxidant
which is very good for reducing stress. This also strengthens your immune
system. Magnesium helps a lot to manage your stress level. Green vegetables like
spinach, almonds and seeds are the best source of magnesium. It also helps in
muscle spasms.
 Take
short relaxation breaks to let go of tension
It is difficult to sustain high levels of activity and stimulation, especially
at holiday time, without taking some "down time" to restore yourself. This is
easy to do when you remember to use your
breath as your guide.
Whenever you notice you are getting stressed or anxious, simply (1) stop and
pause for a moment, (2) take in a deep breath, and (3) slowly exhale, releasing
any tension you may be carrying. Use spare moments throughout the day to breathe
away tension or to recall pleasant images and memories that will help soothe
you. You can also practice relaxation guided imagery to calm your mind and body.
By reducing your overall anxiety level in these ways, you will be better able to
cope with the pressures of the holidays.
 Know Your Food Ingredients
If you are eating out and have food
allergies don't be afraid to ask about ingredients in dishes
made by others. Be especially careful of home baked goods if you have an allergy
to tree nuts or peanuts. Those ingredients may not be obvious at first sight but
can be deadly if you are affected by these types of allergies. If a person
already has a tendency to experience GERD symptoms, the best bet is to take
these medications prior to the holiday meal to prevent problems before they
start.
 Accept Imperfections
Holiday TV specials are filled with happy endings.
But in real life, people don't usually resolve problems within an hour or two.
Something always comes up. You may get stuck late at the office and miss your
daughter's school play, your sister may dredge up an old argument, your partner
may burn the cookies, and your mother may criticize how you're raising the kids.
All in the same day. Accept imperfections in yourself and in others.
 Go for a body massage
A complete body
massage is one of the best home
remedies for stress. Stress can cause
headaches and body pain. A good body
massage can relax the muscles and improve blood circulation in the body. This
will give tremendous relief in body pain and stress. Head massage can soothe the
nerves and gives relief from stress and headaches. Hot bath after massage can
cleanse the skin and head that will relax the muscles and reduce the stress.
 Get a Good Nights Sleep
Holiday celebrations can often disrupt regular
sleep patterns. Try to get to
sleep at the same time every night and avoid heavy foods and alcoholic beverages
before bedtime. Take a nap if you feel the need during the day to help recharge
your energy.
 Be realistic towards your weight.
Don't try to
lose weight during the holidays -- this may be
a self-defeating goal. Instead, strive to maintain your
weight by balancing
party eating with other meals. Eating lighter foods doesn't mean taking the joy
out of celebrating. It only means skimming off the fat, cutting back a little
and learning to modify traditional
recipes.
Look to the holidays as a new
beginning and focus on the opportunities of the future rather than regrets of
the past. That includes setting realistic resolutions for the
new year.
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