It goes without saying; the holiday season can be stressful. During the holidays it’s even more important to take care of yourself every day! Use these practical tips to minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays.
- Be physically active. How do you get daily exercise? Remember you need a total of 30 minutes a day (walking, housework, and exercise machines – all count). Get moving!
- Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Practice strategies to get adequate sleep and eat healthy; maintain a healthy life style.
- Nurture yourself, take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone without distractions may refresh you enough to handle the challenges of the day. Try a massage, a hot bath, mini-relaxations, or a quick walk to ease tension. Be sure you’re eating right, sleeping well and laughing often.
- Share your feelings and thoughts. Take a break from holiday shopping and preparation to call a friend or meet them over a cup of tea. Letting out your feelings to a supportive friend can be an invaluable and important way to relieve holiday stress or any kind of stress and anxiety.
- Laugh! Try to find humor in everyday situations. Laughter is a great stress reliever! Don’t let anyone dull your “sparkle”!
The key to less stressful holidays may lie in the way you perceive them. Adjusting your attitude and your expectations can help turn an otherwise stressful holiday into an enjoyable and relaxing one.
Sources:
Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress, by Charlotte Libov – WebMD retrieved 11/17/14 from http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/tips-for-reducing-holiday-stress
Relax During the Holidays, by Dr. Mercola, December 2013. Retrieved 11/17/14 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/23/holiday-stress-relief.aspx
Writer: Cynthia R. Shuster, CFLE, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, shuster.24@osu.edu
Reviewer: Kristen Corry, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Noble and Monroe Counties, corry.10@osu.edu
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