The holidays are a time to reconnect with family and friends, reflect on life and to count blessings. Unfortunately for many, they’ve become a source of relentless stress. Travel, entertaining, shopping and gift-giving can all add tension and anxiety to an already hectic world.
Stress is a normal reaction to events that causes bodily or mental tension, in fact our body’s response to stress is designed to improve our ability to deal with the situation. However, unresolved stress can wreak havoc on one’s emotional and physical health.
How we resolve stressful circumstances depends on many factors, including those that contribute to overall health: the amount of sleep you get, your diet and nutritional status, and your physical fitness. Deficits in any of these areas may result in a reduced capacity to handle the pressure and stresses of everyday life.
Here are some tips for this holiday season:
Get organized! Structure and routine can create a predictable course for your daily activities that keeps you in a better position to handle the unexpected. While planning for the holidays, try to anticipate those possible unforeseen disruptions and have a plan for each of them. You’ll sleep better, too!
Slow down. While it may be difficult, set some times aside each day to simply relax and engage in activities that you truly find enjoyable, such as reading or listening to music. There are many breathing exercises and other activities proven to aid in lowering heart rate and blood pressure and inducing a state of relaxation. This is especially important right before bedtime!
Exercise. Regular exercise stabilizes the production of stress hormones and is a potent anti-depressant. It also lowers anxiety levels and—yes—promotes deeper, more restorative sleep! Just be sure not to exercise too close to bedtime—it can have a disruptive influence.
Avoid compensating. To mask or hide stress, many people compensate with behaviors that could in fact contribute to the problem. For instance, excessive alcohol actually lowers our stress threshold—we become more sensitive to stress. Little problems produce a rush of stress hormones! Alcohol also disrupts REM sleep, the stage of sleep designed in part to enhance our emotional capacity—and to deal with stress!
Sleep. Don’t skimp on sleep, especially this time of year! It impairs your immune system, leaving you susceptible to the cold and flu. Your ability to manage your appetite and weight is compromised as well. Sleep is also the body’s best anti-stress weapon!
