Stress-free Holiday Season

Five Practical Tips

Men's Health, Mindfulness, Women's Health

It is that time of year, our “to-do” list is longer than usual, and time is limited. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to de-stress and unbusy your holiday season? This season, more than ever, we need to prioritize our health and well-being, not busyness. Try two or three of the following tips and enjoy the benefits of a lower-stress holiday season:

1. Decide what you will say “no” to and stick to it.

While It is tempting to say “yes” to every holiday invitation, the more your calendar fills up, the more stress you feel. Map out a holiday schedule that works for you and your family, and graciously decline all others.

2. Ask for Help

You do not have to do everything yourself! Include family and friends in holiday preparations; this will decrease stress and provide an opportunity to connect.

3. Exercise

Getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days per week has proven to have many benefits; it boosts our immunity, decreases stress, and improves our mood. Taking a 15-minute walk in the morning and another 15-minute walk in the evening is an easy way to get some physical activity into your daily routine.

4. Prioritize Sleep

During the holiday season, it is easy to skimp on sleep; however, getting enough rest is vital for both our physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality sleep can lead to many health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, decreased immune function, and symptoms of depression.

5. Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast.

When you start your day with sugary or refined foods, you crave them all day, and you will experience a blood sugar crash leaving you feeling cranky and depleted. Instead, fuel up on protein-rich foods like eggs, Greek yogurt, or a protein shake.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to de-stress and unbusy your holiday season?

Sources:

Sohail MU, Yassine HM, Sohail A, Al Thani AA. Impact of Physical Exercise on Gut Microbiome, Inflammation, and the Pathobiology of Metabolic Disorders. Rev Diabet Stud. 2019; 15:35-48. doi: 10.1900/RDS.2019.15.35. Epub 2019 Aug 4. PMID: 31380886; PMCID: PMC6760895.
Archer T, Fredriksson A, Schütz E, Kostrzewa RM. Influence of physical exercise on neuroimmunological functioning and health: aging and stress. Neurotox Res. 2011 Jul;20(1):69-83. doi: 10.1007/s12640-010-9224-9. Epub 2010 Oct 15. PMID: 20953749

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