8 Stress-Busting Tips for the Holidays

Christmas and other winter holidays are fun, but they can be stressful too. Maybe your relatives want to talk about how they voted Maybe you are past your shopping limit in time and cash. Maybe there are just too many parties.

Get your physical and mental health back with these 10 stress-busting tips for the holidays.

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1. Walk Off Your Worry

Take a physical approach to psychic stress. When Aunt Elaine and Mom gang up on you, go for a run-and it there's no time for that, take a walk. The rhythm of walking reduces anxiety and has a tranquilizing effect on your brain.

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2. Take Your Workout Outdoors

Don't let a busy holiday schedule crowd your workouts off the calendar. Instead, skip the gym and get out in the sunshine. Sunlight and exercise boost your mood and are a powerhouse combination for beating stress. Don't worry too much about changing your workout-get creative and enjoy. You'll be back to your routine in no time.

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3. Take a Rest Day from Your Workout

If you have been overtraining, your body will be less equipped to deal with holiday stress. Check for sore muscles, weight loss, decreased appetite, and a higher incidence of injuries and colds.

The cure for overtraining is simple: Rest. Take a rest day (or several) from your workout to repair muscles and ultimately, gain strength.

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4. Do Less During the Holidays to Enjoy Them More

Take a cold, hard look at your calendar and start deleting. Decide on your priorities and must-haves: Keep the workouts and the trip home, for example, but let go of the shopping and at least some of the parties. Don't try to squeeze in more holiday than you can handle.

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5. Change Up Holiday Traditions

Family traditions are great during the holidays, but make sure they still work for you as your family and schedules change. It's easy-and sometimes a great stress-buster-to establish new traditions.

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6. Love is in the Holiday Air

Massage is a great stress-reducer, so give a gift to your spouse, friends, or family, and ask for the same in return. Sex is even better (though you will want to be choosy with the recipient). Boost immunity, raise endorphins, and sleep better when you get some holiday love.

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7. Music is for Heart Health

Some of us love Christmas music, while it drives others from the room. Whatever your choice, turn on tunes to de-stress at holiday time. Listening to music you love eases anxiety and even relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow.

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8. Don't Forget to Laugh

Do the nieces or your dad get under your skin? Try humor for a remedy. Laughing at their antics (rather than resenting them) lowers stress hormones and helps your immune system. And it's a lot more fun!

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To improve your performance at any time of year, call King Chiropractic Hand & Foot in Wilmington at (910) 777-7228 and make an appointment. We can help lower stress, relieve pain, and restore your range of motion for peak performance during the holidays and all year long.