Stress and Relaxation – Tips for Surviving the Holidays - Natren, Inc.

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Stress and Relaxation – Tips for Surviving the Holidays

December 18, 2013

The holidays are a time of celebration and joy but along with the pleasure of spending time with friends and family comes stress. After all, someone has to prepare all that food! Then there’s the gift giving. Crowded stores, lack of shopping time and uncertainty about what to give creates even more stress. After all, does Aunt Alice really need another wool sweater as a gift this year? So many decisions and such little time. That’s when the stress level starts to rise. Here are some tips to help you de-stress and keep things in perspective around the holidays.

Keep things in focus this year by remembering the “reason for the season.” It’s a time to be with friends and family. De-commercialize the holidays a bit and you’ll enjoy them more – and be less stressed out too.

Planning your holiday schedule well ahead of time can help avoid unnecessary stress. Most people get stressed out because they don’t have a plan and wait too late to get everything done. Plan ahead of time and pencil each task onto a calendar or enter it into the computer or use your Smartphone. That way you can tackle each task without feeling time pressure. Think of the faces of all those last minute shoppers you see a couple of days before a holiday scrambling around to get things done. Don’t be one of them.

Yes, the holidays are a time to think of others, but don’t neglect yourself. It’s easy to let good habits like exercise “slip” when you have other commitments. Exercise can help you deal with holiday pressures and avoid the dreaded holiday weight gain. That’s stressful by itself! Add a few sessions of yoga or another relaxing mind-body exercise to de-stress during the holidays or take a brisk walk outdoors in the crisp winter air to unwind. Make time to sit for a few minutes and read a book or take a bubble bath. Listen to relaxing music while you do other things. These all help to calm your mind.

Just as importantly, don’t fall into bad dietary habits. It’s easy to get sloppy with your diet when you’re pressed for time. Keep healthy snacks a hand’s reach away so you won’t be tempted to nibble on holiday goodies. Plan simple but healthy meals you can prepare quickly in a crockpot rather than heading to the nearest fast food restaurant for a less than nutritious lunch or dinner. Avoid the mall food court when you’re shopping for gifts. Eating a healthy diet helps to balance your mood. Don’t forget to keep a healthy balance of friendly, probiotic bacteria in your gut to keep your immune system primed. Who wants to be sick around the holidays?

The holidays are a time for sharing, but don’t let your own mental or physical health suffer. Use these tips to experience more joy and less stress this holiday season.

The post Stress and Relaxation – Tips for Surviving the Holidays appeared first on Natren Probiotics Blog.

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