Stress can have a negative effect on your health. Some stress, like the panic you go into when someone cuts you off in traffic or your son jumps out from behind the door to scare you, is good for you. In that moment, your body is designed to rush blood to your legs and arms and even a rush of white blood cells (the immune boosters) is surged through your body. Chonic stress however, like the impending arrival of out of your mother-in-law, is damaging to your health. It raises blood pressure, lowers your immune system and increases the risk for heart attack and stroke.
To cope with stress, try these tips:
1. Acknowledge your feelings.
Trying to put on a happy face when you are anxious inside will not accomplish anything. Come to grips with the fact you are sad or anxious.
2. Reach out.
Feeling alone or sad can be helped by reaching out to your community at events or even volunteering.
3. Be realistic.
The holidays do not have to be perfect and you do not have to do it alone. Ask someone to bring a side dish or the wine. If someone cannot make it, realize they too are under stress and be understanding to their situation.
4. Set aside differences.
Now is a good time to let that tiff go between you and your sister. Letting go of grievances for the time being does not admit defeat, but rather trying to keep the peace is admirable.
5. Stick to a budget.
Going over the holiday budget is just going to stress you out over your financial situation later. If something can be homemade, like holiday cards, try that. Cut out the decorations or reuse from last year. Save wrapping paper and bags to reuse.
6. Plan ahead.
Set aside certain days for shopping, visiting friends and baking. Make a menu for each event and a shopping list to follow to avoid last minute scrambling.
7. Learn to say no.
Going to every event, working overtime at the office and catering to every one's needs will take a toll on you. People will understand you are not Wonder Woman, so know your limits.
8. Stick to healthy habits.
Over-indulging will just lead to stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack, like trail mix or an apple, handy. Get about 8 hours of sleep, drink plenty of water and try taking a brisk walk when the stress is too much.
9. Take a breather.
Take 15 minutes to veg out, take a walk or listen to soothing music. You can put the world on hold for 15 minutes while you recuperate and don't feel selfish doing it!
10. Seek professional help.
Despite your best efforts, you may still feel persistently sad, irritable and hopeless. Seek the help of a mental health professional if these feeling persist.
11. See your chiropractor!
Achy joints can limit your movements and hinder your sleep. Getting your joints realigned through a chiropractic adjustment can relieve achiness and it even increases your immune system.
January seems to be the most depressing month, especially in Seattle. Post-holiday letdown, failed New Year's resolutions, short days and long nights, bad weather, and holiday credit card bills can lead to a winter funk or the more severe condition, seasonal affective disorder. I encourage my patients to take a 1,000-IU vitamin D supplement to make up for the lack of sunlight and fight off seasonal depression.
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions Dr. Devine. We also suggest the use of Vitamin D for our patients. It is extremly hard for people in North America to get enough sun exposure all year long but especially in the winter months when the sun's angle is not optimal and thier are fewer daylight hours. In addition to helping fight off symptoms of seasonal depression recent studies are finding that Vitamin D is also very benifical in fighting cancer. However, patients should be careful when taking vitamin D without consulting a doctor since it is a fat soluble vitamin and thus one could become toxic on the vitamin if not used properly. Thank you for your reply.
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