EASY THINGS YOU CAN DO TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON

The holidays are a busy time of year filled with shopping, good food, get togethers, family, travelling and more, but there can also be tension and stress. For many people, holidays mean changes in work, exercise and dietary habits. But there are easy things you can do to take the stress out of any holiday.

This holiday season, listen to your body!
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How many people really listen to what their body is telling them? Since no part of the body is immune to stress, it can affect the entire body, taking a heavy toll on the nervous and digestive systems. If you don’t want stress to become part of your norm, here’s what to look for:
·         Sleeplessness
·         Poor digestion
·         Lack of concentration
·         Feeling stiff and achy
·         Frequent flu-like illness
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We’ve all experienced stress while trying to balance our personal and professional lives. Not having enough hours in the day to manage conflicting priorities causes us to go into overdrive, leading to stress. It is especially important to maintain your self-care schedule.
 
Even though your first reaction will be to say that you are “too busy” to maintain your chiropractic adjustments and registered massage therapy appointments leading up to and over the holidays, these help improve how your nervous system is working and your nervous system is what controls your body’s response to negative stressors. 

​ A healthy nervous system has also been shown to improve immune function and we all know that minimizing the chance of getting that dreaded cold or flu bug that is going around is on the top of everyone's list for the holidays! 

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Make time to stay on track.  For many people,  their chiropractic and massage therapy appointments are a few minutes of additional time for themselves with piece and quiet or to discuss the stressors of their day.
 
Try these additional tips to keep stress under control this holiday season! (the exert below is from the Ontario Chiropractic Association)

​Delegate!
Does the house need cleaning? Let each family member be responsible for a room or a specific task.
Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise, weight training and yoga can reduce the level of stress hormones in your body, allowing you to cope more easily. It is also a great excuse to make a little time for yourself.
Avoid sugar
Sugar increases symptoms of irritability and anxiety in many people and weakens the immune system. It has also been found to diminish infection-fighting white blood cell count for up to six hours after consumption.
Make a list
A hectic schedule means that being organized and planning ahead is more important than ever. If you are laying in bed at night worrying about all the things you have to do, get up and make a “to do” list. It will help to clear your mind and get you back to sleep.

​Laughter is the best therapy
It may be a cliché, but people who laugh on a daily basis rate the stress in their lives as lower and enjoy better health. So go ahead and giggle – it’s good for you! So yes, make time to laugh this holiday season! 
So, hear is a little holiday humour! 
​Q:What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire?
A: Frostbite.
 (From the Thought Catalogue)