How to Stay Stress Free and Find Balance During the Holidays by Lisa Herbert
The holidays are approaching fast and that means days spent shopping, family gatherings, and office parties. The hustle and the bustle of the holidays can often lead to feeling like you’re being pulled in many directions. Just thinking about the many things, we must do to prepare for that special event can cause an overwhelming feeling. This busy time of year can also lead to fatigue, irritability, emotional eating and anxiety. Below are some tips to stay stress-free and balanced during the holidays.
1.Have a schedule
Stay organized with a to-do list or calendar that allows you to list your tasks for the day. This frees your mind from having to remember every detail and allows you to check off tasks as they are completed. When developing your to-do list, prioritize the things that are the most important to you and successfully complete those events first. It’s better to do less and be more efficient with less stress than to do more with a great deal of stress and inefficiency.
2.Prioritize Self Care
Although this is the season for giving and sharing, taking time out for yourself is important. Self-care reduces stress, allows you to tap into your own feelings, wants and desires and allows you to feel more satisfied with your life. Self-care is living a healthy lifestyle, taking time to enjoy your favorite hobby or activity and taking time off from work and caring for others, to just have time for yourself. So, try to take at least 15 minutes a day just to recharge and feel renewed.
3.Get plenty of sleep
Lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration, weight gain, depression, and high blood pressure. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Stop using electronic devices at least 1-2 hours prior to your bedtime. Keep a consistent bedtime to promote better sleep. Try creating a bedtime ritual like taking a warm bath, listening to ocean waves or journaling. Getting the proper amount of sleep helps you to feel energized and ready to take on the busy holiday season.
4.Exercise
Walking is a good stress reliever and helps to keep your weight down. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes per day, 5 times/week of moderate intensity aerobic activity, or 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days/ week. Seems like a lot; but, don’t worry you can also benefit from dividing the time into 2 or 3 segments of 10-15 minutes per day. Schedule time to take a walk and reap the benefits. Just 15-20 minutes can reduce your stress level. Let’s get moving!
5.Let it go
It’s impossible to do everything and make everyone happy. So, decide which issues are worth your efforts and let go of those things that do not serve you during this time. The holidays should be a time for creating memories with family and friends without feeling like you must make everything perfect. Our lives are enhanced when we can celebrate with others. It’s these special times that we create, that will last a lifetime.
Lisa Herbert, the Balance Doctor, is a proud mother of 2 children, a wife, family doctor and certified executive and personal coach. She is the Founder and CEO of Just The Right Balance, LLC, a consulting agency dedicated to helping professional working moms redefine work-life balance so they can take charge of their careers, health and relationships without sacrificing what matters most. She is also the author of Take Back Your Life: A Working Moms Guide to Work Life Balance, to be released 1/21/18. Contact email info@justtherightbalance.com / www.justtherightbalance.com
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