10 Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress

Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on December 4, 2008 under Weight Loss, Wellness | Read the First Comment

The holiday season is upon us and for many that spells good times, good food, and good-bye waistline! Although some (ok, most!) of the weight gained during this time of year can be attributed to overeating, the abnormally high level of stress everyone is under lends its helping hand to the problem. Therefore, here are 10 things you can do to help alleviate the holiday stress:

1. Shop with a friend. Shopping with a friend can greatly reduce your holiday stress. It’s always easier to deal with hectic situations when you feel you’re not alone.
2. Make a list. With all that’s going on during this time of year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To make life easier, make a list of the things you need to accomplish. It will provide the structure you need to help keep the weight off your shoulders.
3. Get a massage. Of course the holidays are about giving to others, but there’s nothing wrong with taking care of oneself in the process. A soothing massage makes for a good time-out during a busy day of shopping.
4. Meditate. Meditation can do wonders for your mind. It allows you to remove yourself from the chaos that is the holiday season.
5. Laugh along the way. Nothing reduces stress more than laughter. Being able to laugh at yourself or a situation will zap any stressor put in your way.
6. Enjoy a cup of tea. Having a hot cup of tea, like chamomile, is a perfect way to relax in the evenings. The calming effect tea can have will not only help reduce the stress from a busy day, but will also lend itself to a restful night of sleep.
7. Enjoy time with your pets. It’s well known that petting your cat or dog (or whatever else you may have!) can have a profound stress reducing effect. Be sure to spare a few minutes each day for them…and you.
8. Eat regularly. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and skip a meal here and there. However, doing so can wreak havoc on your stress response. As blood sugar drops, people become more irritable. Those little things you would have glossed over now have become catastrophic events. Do yourself a favor and take an apple or other piece of fruit with you to hold you over until you’re able to enjoy a more complete meal.
9. Get enough sleep. If your body is telling you to nap during the day, do so and don’t feel guilty. A 20-minute power nap will revitalize your body and mind.
10. Last, but certainly not least…exercise regularly! Getting the endorphins flowing from an intense workout session will relieve you from even your most stressful days. There’s nothing like an invigorating workout!

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