“Tis the season to be jolly…” — and stressed. Unfortunately, the holiday season, with its overflowing to-do lists, often brings more stress than holiday cheer. The good news? Dr. Smith has some winning strategies to ward off holiday-related stress.
Dr. Smith witnesses the results of unchecked stress every day: from colds to headaches, digestive problems and low-back pain. Can’t find a gift you purchased a month ago? Blame it on stress. It’s an established fact that psychological stress can also spark memory loss (Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:527-33).
The following are just a few practical suggestions on how to slash holiday-related stress:
- Pass on perfection
- Be realistic about the relatives
- Help others to heal
- Tame traditions
- Cut down on kitchen time
- Get a handle on holiday cards
- Be picky about parties
- Fend off financial woes
Instead, celebrate the love of family and friends. Pick up this week’s copy of the Optimal Health University for more great ideas.