Sunday, November 11, 2012

Tis the season.. to stress



This time of year can bring a lot of mixed feelings- excitement and anticipation of the fun  we will experience with friends and family over the next month, but don't be surprised if you also feel tension taking over. Nearly half of all women will feel overwhelmed with all there is to do- shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, decorating, ahhhh! Anyone could use a little help to regain their calm and it does not have to take long. These quick activities featured in O The Oprah Magazine this month offer all you will need- the right choice can bust stress which always makes anyone more organized!!


1. Chew gum ( 10 minutes) gum chewers feel less anxious and have less cortisol in their saliva. It's a great distraction! So while you are waiting in a long checkout line, pop in a piece and hum along to the Christmas tunes.

2. Brew some tea (12 minutes) If you are out running around on a thousand errands a hot drink can keep you motivated and calm- chemical compounds in this antioxidant beverage may relax us as we deck the halls!

3. Massage (15 minutes) If you are running in to get a manicure, a quick chair massage is a smart add on- a friend of mine always does this and says it is well worth it! The at home approach is another effective choice- roll a tennis ball over tired muscles and get a similar effect!

4. Writing (20 minutes) If you need to vent- write it down! Putting your feelings on paper appears to organize your thoughts and release negative emotions. 

5. Rock out! (30 minutes) This is almost a nightly ritual at our house- dinner is cooking, but not quite ready and the kids are antsy, but the music makes the tension melt. Music can elicit positive emotions and reduce stress levels. Boost your mood even more by dancing along! (Make sure you have music you love in the car too for those road trips)

6. IPhone Break (45 minutes) If you have a long list and need to check it twice, but your phone won't stop buzzing- leave it in the car. Constantly checking email and texts puts people on constant high alert with heart rates that indicate stress. Give your self a break so you can focus and finish tasks.

7. Clean house (60 minutes) This may be the last thing you want to do, but getting into a rhythm of folding clothes or vacuuming can disrupt stressful thought patterns and trigger the body's relaxation response. Even organizing a drawer can make you feel relaxed and ready to enjoy this season!

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