Holidays are here!

Holidays are probably the most stressful time of year for most of us. It is a time when more people than ever are anxious about gift giving, worried about money, and/or are feeling lonely and depressed. Regardless of whether you are far away and alone, have lost a loved one, or are surrounded by loving family and friends, the holidays can take a toll on you physically, mentally and emotionally if you don't take care of yourself.

I always make it a point to take extra care of my physical body during the holidays. That's because I know that the added activity of having a second holiday job, attending parties, and worrying about money and family issues doesn't just affect a person mentally and emotionally. These issues really have an affect on you physically, so taking care of your body can fend off a lot of the mental and emotional fallout from holiday pressures. No matter how busy you are, find a few moments to stretch your muscles or take a brisk walk. Make it a point to make it to your yoga or exercise class, as moving your body releases endorphins that make you feel better emotionally.

When it comes to holiday eating, I'd say avoid sugar altogether, but I know how hard that can be when those lovely and naughty treats seem to appear everywhere, calling for just a taste. The problem with sugar is that it can leave you flat and tired after an hour or so, which can affect your emotions negatively and lead to a less than lovely mood. I recommend that you enjoy a little so you don't feel cheated, but do your best to keep sugary treats to a minimum. And don't forget the water. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and to throw off toxins that may build up in your system from holiday over-indulgences.

And most importantly, go easy on yourself. The holidays can really magnify the voice of our inner critic, especially when we feel we must live up to some expectation or another. So, this is a very important time to choose to give yourself a break and tell that inner voice that you are the one driving the car and it can sit in the back seat and be quiet. My friend, the truth is, you can't be all things to all people, so don't try. Live within your budget during this time and keep your gift giving to what you can afford. Scale back your activities a bit if you are feeling overwhelmed, and choose to say “no” to requests that you feel would add to your stress or consume too much of your time. Instead, add in those things that will relax you and relieve stress like a hot bath, a massage, a visit with a close friend, or an hour alone with a hot cup of tea and a good book. You'll be glad you did.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of happiness not heavy stress. Choose to take good care of yourself during the holidays and you'll “stress” less and enjoy more.