TIPS4STRESS
Turn Holiday Stress Into Good Cheer
Holidays are a wonderful time of year. Good cheer fills the air, and we get to enjoy the decorations and the aroma of the baking..
Dr. Doug Fullington
However, the holidays do not just bring happiness. This time of
year can be very stressful - shopping for gifts on a limited budget,
dreading the stresses of travel and even enjoying good stress like
family visits. I have learned several stress reducing techniques
that are listed below. Many of my patients have told me they are
helpful, and I have used them myself.
Exercise. As my patients will tell you, this is my "cure" for
everything. Even 10 minutes of vigorous exercise is enough to reduce
the feelings of stress.
Good nutrition. Eating rainbows (an abundance of fruits and
vegetables) gives your body the raw material to increase stress
reducing chemicals in your body. Eating junk food increases insulin,
cortisol and other stress hormones, which can cause premature aging
and lead to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Refreshing sleep. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep
consistently every night. Getting enough sleep ensures that you are
well rested and able to cope with the stresses of life.
Good relationships. People with a good social support system with
family, friends and friendly coworkers live longer than those who do
not. Invest time in your relationships. Remember that love is a verb
- it is something you do, not just something you feel.
Deep breathing. You need air more than you need food and water, so
stop every hour and take 2 to 3 slow, deep, cleansing breaths. Try
it now and see how good it feels.
Say no. Make "no" your automatic response to any new requests. You
only have so much time each day so make sure you are saying no to
those things that matter least so that you can say yes to those
things that matter most.
Empty your brain. Get all of the "stuff" out of your head and onto
paper so you can free up your brain for thinking. Whether it is a
to-do list or big problem you need to solve, writing helps you think
more clearly and reduce the feelings of overwhelm.
Turn off the television. Do something productive with your time
whether it is reading a good book, engaging in your favorite hobby
or spending time with your family. Most people do not feel less
stressed after television, although you could argue the television
"sedates" your brain.
Take action. Take action on an important goal. Procrastination is
one of the biggest stress inducers that I know. Don't think too much
or over analyze, just get started with the quickest smallest step
that you can take now. You will almost always feel better when
taking action on a goal or a problem.
Enjoy the moment. What is good about your life right now? If you try
hard enough, you will find something. What are you thankful for?
Live each day and each moment with an attitude of gratitude.
I know many more stress reducing techniques, but these are some of
my favorites. Even if you only consistently apply 1 or 2, you will
experience a notable improvement in your stress level.
Dr. Doug Fullington is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a busy practice filled with wonderful patients. He is passionate about helping people learn how to Achieve Maximum Health. If you would like for Dr. Fullington to speak to your group or organization, you may contact him at http://www.DrDougFullington.com.
Related Article: