As much as we may enjoy it, the holiday season can be stressful. Money seems tighter as we make travel plans and budget for food and decorations. Get ahead of the stress and learn how to manage it. Here are some tips to help manage stress per the Reader’s Digest. The article has 37, but here are 10 that I have heard helped other people or myself. You can see the full article here.
Breathe! -- Stress can cause you to take more shallow breathes, remembering to take deep breathes can reduce stress and lower your heart rate.
Compose a Mantra -- “I can do this!” “I feel calm.”
Be a Fighter -- Instead of saying, “why has this happened to me?” focus on being proactive and solve the problem instead of complaining about it.
Write It Out -- Write out what’s making you stressed and see if there is anything you can change.
Cut Back on the Caffeine
“No” -- Don’t try to do everything
Eat Your Vitamins -- Make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs. A multivitamin will do.
Get into Nature -- Whether looking at a distance or immersed, nature can calm you down.
Walk/Exercise -- This improves circulation and relieves stress. Hot baths also help circulation and are relaxing!
Get a Dog -- There are many benefits to having a pet. Dogs help to reduce stress.
Now, go out and have fun and stay calm! Enjoy the season!
