How to Manage Holiday Stress
Juggling parties, gifts, family and friends can bring a surmountable amount of stress that cause many of us to crack under pressure, behaving in ways we're sure to regret later. Do you find yourself drinking more coffee than normal, eating more than you should or drinking in excess just a little too much? Don't worry, it happens to everyone.
Whether you live in coastal Maine, the houses for rent in Citrus Heights or anywhere in-between, the stress of the holidays is bound to kick in eventually if it hasn't already. There are ways, however, to manage that stress in a healthy way instead of taking it out on your body. Follow these tips, and you'll be gliding through the holidays like a zen master.
Take A Life Break
When things become stressful at work, you know that you can always step away from the office for a moment and clear your head. Well, have you ever considered applying that same stress management technique to your daily life?
When you find yourself reaching your limit, stop. Stop everything you're doing and take five minutes to relax. Consciously focus on slowing your breath and clearing your mind before coming back to the situation that has you feeling overwhelmed.
Sometimes, this can be easier said than done, but taking the time to center yourself not only reduces the effects of stress, but helps to ensure that you won't lash out at someone else in the process.
Try a Different Perspective
Chances are, you’re going to get annoyed with someone this holiday season. Maybe it’s a coworker at the office party who keeps trying to fill up your glass with more and more booze. Perhaps it’s your mother constantly pestering you to try a piece of her homemade pie while simultaneously questioning your life decisions.
Before getting annoyed and saying something you might regret, take a brief mental pause and consider what their motivations are. Your mother is probably just showing you that she loves you by making sure that you’re happy and full. Your coworker might be feeling anxious and attempting to break the ice in the only way they know how. Sure, their attention is misguided, but they mean well.
Instead of focusing on the annoyance, try to shift your thoughts to a state of gratitude. It’s healthy to be annoyed at times, but it is equally healthy to be surrounded by good friend and family.
Don’t Skip the Exercise
As your schedule becomes more and more hectic, you may find yourself putting off your workout routine in lieu of shopping or socializing. This is a critical mistake all too many make during the holiday season.
Exercise is an essential mood elevator and energy booster, thanks to the release of endorphins a good workout releases. Staying true to your daily/weekly regimen can help reduce anger, tension, fatigue and depression. So, keep up the cardio and don’t skip leg day!
Eat Right, When You Can
There’s an overabundance of sugary, full-calorie treats around this time of year, and it can be difficult to say no to your favorites. While there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence over the holidays, you should still try to stick with a healthy diet.
A piece of pie here or a few cookies there won’t hurt anything, but too many sugary foods can cause you to feel sluggish and tired. This is when most people begin drinking more coffee. Do your best to stick with a healthy diet as often as possible to keep your energy and mood elevated.
When Temptation Strikes
At some point, you will find yourself face to face with plenty of tempting treats. How you handle that situation plays a major role in your overall wellbeing during and after this time of year. Do you happily accept that offer for another glass of spiked eggnog and strawberry cheesecake, or do you turn down the extra rations in favor of a healthier body?
The same goes for second courses at dinner parties and on Christmas day itself. It can be hard to say no, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run. Remember to keep your dessert and snack intake to a minimum as well.
Make a List and Check It Twice
As your to do list begins piling up, it’s a good idea to make a checklist of all the things you have to do. Trying to remember each and every item is hard enough, but fitting them into your schedule can be an even more complicated affair.
Start by writing a bulleted list of all the things you need to accomplish, then reorganize them in order of importance. Next, see where you can fit the most important tasks into your schedule. Keep working your way down the list until there’s simply not enough time left in a day. Make sure to fit workouts and other activities for yourself into the schedule, too.
Now, look at the tasks that are left. Are they absolutely important this holiday season? If not, scratch them off and forget about them! There’s nothing more stressful than running yourself ragged.
Houses for Rent Citrus Heights
One of the most important aspects to maintaining your stress this holiday season is coming home to a relaxing environment. That's what The Arbors offers its residents. Casting notions of typical apartment living aside, this stunning gated community takes luxurious living to a new level. Spanning 150 acres of beautifully manicured grounds in the heart of Antelope, California, these living spaces offer a collection of carefully curated amenities and conveniences that create a true feeling of home.
From floor to ceiling living room windows to private fenced in backyards and patios, every square inch is designed for maximum comfort. A state of the art fitness center, enormous sparkling pool and business center are just a few of the community features that make this more than just another home. The Arbors are a destination where you can escape the hectic tedium of the day.
Eat Right, When You Can
There’s an overabundance of sugary, full-calorie treats around this time of year, and it can be difficult to say no to your favorites. While there’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence over the holidays, you should still try to stick with a healthy diet.
A piece of pie here or a few cookies there won’t hurt anything, but too many sugary foods can cause you to feel sluggish and tired. This is when most people begin drinking more coffee. Do your best to stick with a healthy diet as often as possible to keep your energy and mood elevated.
When Temptation Strikes
At some point, you will find yourself face to face with plenty of tempting treats. How you handle that situation plays a major role in your overall wellbeing during and after this time of year. Do you happily accept that offer for another glass of spiked eggnog and strawberry cheesecake, or do you turn down the extra rations in favor of a healthier body?
The same goes for second courses at dinner parties and on Christmas day itself. It can be hard to say no, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run. Remember to keep your dessert and snack intake to a minimum as well.
Make a List and Check It Twice
As your to do list begins piling up, it’s a good idea to make a checklist of all the things you have to do. Trying to remember each and every item is hard enough, but fitting them into your schedule can be an even more complicated affair.
Start by writing a bulleted list of all the things you need to accomplish, then reorganize them in order of importance. Next, see where you can fit the most important tasks into your schedule. Keep working your way down the list until there’s simply not enough time left in a day. Make sure to fit workouts and other activities for yourself into the schedule, too.
Now, look at the tasks that are left. Are they absolutely important this holiday season? If not, scratch them off and forget about them! There’s nothing more stressful than running yourself ragged.
Houses for Rent Citrus Heights
One of the most important aspects to maintaining your stress this holiday season is coming home to a relaxing environment. That's what The Arbors offers its residents. Casting notions of typical apartment living aside, this stunning gated community takes luxurious living to a new level. Spanning 150 acres of beautifully manicured grounds in the heart of Antelope, California, these living spaces offer a collection of carefully curated amenities and conveniences that create a true feeling of home.
From floor to ceiling living room windows to private fenced in backyards and patios, every square inch is designed for maximum comfort. A state of the art fitness center, enormous sparkling pool and business center are just a few of the community features that make this more than just another home. The Arbors are a destination where you can escape the hectic tedium of the day.
