The holiday season brings a whole load of stress to our lives. It is no wonder the liquor stores are the busiest during this time. Extended times with family members we usually don’t see much, financial burdens, complex travel logistics, and trying to please everyone with the perfect gift can overwhelm us all. Fears of weight gain, a cold that won’t go away, tummy trouble, & lethargy can creep into our minds.
So, what are some solutions to combating the stress and, quite possibly, preventing the ill-effects of it? The following 5 things are easy to implement & extremely powerful:
- Deep, rhythmic breathing. Try do 2-5 minutes upon waking up, just before bed, and while you are driving. Deep breathing helps settle your nervous back down and gets you out of the fight or flight stress-mode.
- Setting a goal of 7-8 hours of sleep every night and sticking to it. Your body essentially recharges it’s battery while you sleep.
- Keep your eating in check by writing out your daily food intake for the next day and don’t allow yourself to deviate from it. If you want to avoid weight gain during the holidays than this is a must item.
- Adding some daily, gentle exercise, such as yoga, Pilates, or a long walk. Focus on deep breathing while you are exercising. It will greatly improve the benefits.
- Writing in a gratitude journal each day. I recommend writing 5 things in the morning and 5 things just before bed. It puts your attitude in the right frame of mind to feel joy.
I can almost guarantee you that if you incorporate these 5 activities that you will actually enjoy the holiday season far beyond what you might imagine.
If you need some additional help with more advanced nutrition & chiropractic care, especially for headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and low back, Drs. Paula and Shane Howell are ready to serve you. We specialize in customized nutritional plans and gentle, low force chiropractic care. Give us a call at Alternative Health Management 713-722-0055.
