Make this THE year to fully enjoy your holiday season! Follow these tips developed by Stress Management Educator Lydia B. Blalock, Ph.D. to bring more joy and meaning, and less fatigue and anxiety to your holidays.
Santa checking his list to see who's been naughty and who's been nice!
Make Lists - and Check Them Twice!
Make a list is an oft-repeated stress and time management strategy - which can also create overwhelming anxiety! Go ahead and make those lists, then review each item carefully.
- Do I want to do it?
- Will it improve my holiday spirit?
- Will it ruin the holidays if I don’t do it?
- Is it worth the effort (Holiday Meals)?
- Do I honestly have time to do it (ex., make quilts for family members)?
- Am I worried about what people will think if I don’t do it?
Kwanzaa: a celebration of family, community, and culture which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person.
Holiday Meals - Food for Thought
I come from a family that spends a week prepping huge holiday meals - meals that are finished in about 45 minutes! It’s hard to enjoy what really matters if you’re exhausted from the physical, mental, and often emotional (it’s not Thanksgiving until you drop the turkey!) stress of prepping a huge meal.
Yes, food traditions are important. Pick one or two and enjoy the holiday!
Yes, food traditions are important. Pick one or two and enjoy the holiday!
Just Say No!
This holiday season, you have permission to just say no - to anything that will not increase your holiday spirit! Examples include:
The list is endless! Take care of your holiday spirit and say yes to what’s truly important!
What do you need to just say no to in order to have a more enjoyable holiday season?
- Baking and decorating 2 dozen cookies for each of your 7 children’s classes
- Searching for the perfect gift for everyone
- Hosting the family dinner for 35
- Installing the annual 10,000 light display
- Bringing your kids to every holiday event so they don’t miss out
The list is endless! Take care of your holiday spirit and say yes to what’s truly important!
What do you need to just say no to in order to have a more enjoyable holiday season?
Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) commemorates the Maccabean victories over the forces of king Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the rededication of the Temple.
'Tis the Season to Enjoy!
Things I enjoy during the holidays are: friends, family, children and grandchildren, Christmas music, holiday traditions, holiday decorations, giving, spirituality, and peace.
What do you want to enjoy this season?
What do you want to enjoy this season?
Just Breathe!
So, simple - and yet so hard. Your brain needs oxygen to function. When stressed, oxygen migrates from the brain to the heart, lungs, and extremities to prepare for “fight or flight” (it’s a caveperson thing!).
If anxiety builds try “box” breathing:
If anxiety builds try “box” breathing:
- Inhale for a slow count of 4.
- Hold for a slow count of 4.
- Exhale for a slow count of 4.
- Repeat at least 3 times.
Create your own "spa" in your bath. Rose petals, scented candles, etc. should do the trick!
Begin Your Self-Care Routine Today!
Don’t wait for the New Year to take better care of yourself. Nothing beats stress faster (or better) than putting your health and well-being at the top of your daily to-do list!
- Exercise 15-20 minutes.
- Set aside a little “me” time.
- Give thanks (start a gratitude journal).
- Meditate 10 minutes (try the UCLA app).
- Sleep 7-9 hours (social media can wait!).
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and lean proteins.
- Eat sweets in moderation (set limits before holiday events).
Add Stress-Busting Supplements to Your Routine!
While a healthy diet, regular exercise, and relaxation techniques can help manage stress, sometimes we need a little extra help. Supplements can help improve stress resilience and support healthy adrenal gland function.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS
ASK DR. DORI WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU!
Not all supplements are appropriate for all people. People with any health condition (ex., pregnant, nursing, diabetic, heart disease, etc.) are strongly urged to work with Dr. Dori to find the best choice for their unique needs.
Dr. Dori will enter your personalized stress protocol into Fullscript, which will simplify your supplement purchasing experience!
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS
- L-Theanine: promotes relaxation without affecting alertness
- Ashwagandha Extract: improves cortisol levels
- Active B Complex: improves mood, positively affects stress levels
- Rhodiola: supports adrenal glands, reduces occasional stress
- Panax Ginseng: helps with adapting to emotional stress
ASK DR. DORI WHICH SUPPLEMENTS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU!
Not all supplements are appropriate for all people. People with any health condition (ex., pregnant, nursing, diabetic, heart disease, etc.) are strongly urged to work with Dr. Dori to find the best choice for their unique needs.
Dr. Dori will enter your personalized stress protocol into Fullscript, which will simplify your supplement purchasing experience!
Lydia B. Blalock, Ph.D.
Dr. Blalock has taught stress management techniques at major universities and national and local conferences for almost 25 years. She is currently offering individual and group stress management education sessions for Shine Chiropractic in Lewisville, Texas.
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