The Holiday’s are a time of joy and family, but sometimes the Holiday’s can also bring stress. We understand that sometimes the most joyous time of the year can be, well….not so joyous.

This doesn't have to be you!

This doesn’t have to be you!

Because we actively care about your health  we are sharing 3 quick and effective ways to dodge holiday stress and stay energized:

1. Mediate: Research has shown that meditation can be a great way to relax. The medial benefits include lowering your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, and improving your circulation.

Here is how it’s done. Find a comfortable place free from distraction and close your eyes. Then relax all muscles including arms, legs, and even your face muscles. Then focus on something that brings you peace (that means no thinking about bills, or shopping, or kids activities). One of the best things to focus on is your breathing. This can be at home before bed, or even on your break at work. Note: we are not responsible for falling asleep so please set an alarm.

Doing this for as little as 10 min can make a world of difference in your stress level.

2. Food: Ever wonder why indulging in carbohydrates like cookies, candy, ice cream, and potatoes seem to make you instantly sleepy? Here’s the answer, its because these foods tend to have a soothing effect, especially in women. This doesn’t mean you can run out and load up on these things it just means that in 100 calorie portions carbohydrates can play a key role in reducing stress.

3. Tend to you: This last tip is one of the hardest things for all of us to do. A lot of stress comes from simply not “tending to ourselves” this can be things that need to be done at work or at home. Tending to yourself includes staying on task with projects and your to-do list so that your not stressing out at the last minute trying to get it all done. Take a break in the day to do something you like, whether it be reading, working out, going for a walk, or listing to your favorite music.

Sometimes you just have to “stop the world” and let your mind and body recharge. With effective time management you can find a way to “tend to you” throughout the day.

Final Words: Our final advice for now is to find out what works for you. Some people tackle stress by doing a vigorous workout while others find a quiet place to sit and unwind. At the end of the day, stress relief is all about shutting your mind off from whatever is causing you stress long enough for your body to be renewed.

Have you tried any of these tips? What other stress relieving things have you used? We welcome your comments.

Dr Spencer Charlet
Chiropractic in Mooresville, NC
704-663-7625