How To Make the Holidays As Stress-less As Possible…

12/15/2011

Unfortunately, the holidays is the number one death time for our area. But to a certain extent, it can be explained. People put their bodies in harm’s way due to their holiday activities.

The holidays bring a lot of people into bad habits and high stress levels. Your routines can be broken, as kids get off from school, college kids return home, and there are a lot of vacations and odd work schedules created.

People are stressed because of the holiday time crunch between shopping/work/managing their family, and they are losing sleep. It’s flu season, the stress is causing your nerve fibers to misfire, and your immune system gets pulled down.

It’s a great collection of bugs/viruses/diseases – a big holiday gumbo of disease.

How to stay healthy this holiday season…

1) Manage Your Time. Try to manage time, even with the shopping. I know that 280 is crazy – just try to budget your time so that even if you’ve got to get to the Summit or Galleria, you won’t be rushed to get in and get out. Plan to be stuck in traffic.

2) Designated Drivers. Not just a holiday tip, but with so many parties being held this time of year – if you plan on drinking, make sure that you have someone with you or you arrange to be driven. There’s no sense in getting hurt or hurting someone else when you don’t have to.

3) Get Some Sleep. Very important to do – it’ll help you maintain your stress level, and hopefully keep you on schedule. If it’s time to go to bed – go to bed. You can wrap those gifts tomorrow. If you are having trouble getting to sleep, then take something that will help you.

4) Stay Clean. Keep a little container of waterless soap with you so you can rid yourself of germs – because, as we just said, the germs are all around you this time of year.

5) Hydrate. Keep your body functioning properly – if you handicap your body by not giving it enough fluids, it will try to compensate and put more internal stress upon you.

6) Stretch A Little Bit. If you find yourself waiting in line somewhere, make the most of it and stretch your legs, your back, your arms… It will help relieve some muscle tension and stress.

7) And Eat Right. (At least as best you can this holiday season.) 

Keep these tips in mind when you are out during this holiday season, and I think you’ll find that you’ll be healthier and happier this season.

Be Well, 

Dr. R