Source:

Rosalie Moscoe, RHN, RNCP

Speaker for Stress Relief & Nutrition

Registered Nutritional Consultant Practitioner

Author of Frazzled Hurried Woman! Your Stress Relief Guide to Thriving. . .Not Merely Surviving

www.healthinharmony.com

Holiday time is the time people like to give and many people - women in particular - get so busy, shopping for gifts, hosting gatherings, doing things for many people to show them that you care. The trouble is while you are honouring all the people in your lives that you care about, you may forget to honour yourself.

It's time to put natural stress remedies into action even in midst of holiday stress - over commitment, money, time and family pressures.

Some stress relieving strategies may include:

• Be aware of your pace - Are you hurried, always rushing? Walk slower, even if you're in a rush. When you hurry, there's more chances of slips, falls, accidents - which will really put a dent into your holiday fun. Make a decision that you will not act frazzled, look frazzled or talk in a frazzled manner. In this state, you'll not be at your best to interact with friends and family. Notice if your heart is pounding - from fear you'll never get all your chores done. Slowing down your pace is important to reduce stress chemicals from charging through your body and causing havoc.

• Try this simple gentle deep breathing technique that will serve as an anti-anxiety natural remedy. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold for a few seconds, then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Repeat a few more times. If you gently deep breathe a few times a day, this small act can actually bring down blood pressure and calm anxious feelings. Repeat often during the day.

• Get hold of your schedule - become more organized. Best advice is to start far enough in advance (especially for gift shopping) to reduce the crunch time just before the holidays. Many women are afraid there won't be time to get everything done and men often shop at the last minute.

• Plan for a good breakfast and lunch. Skipping meals or eating high sugar items like cookies and chocolate in order to keep you going will send your blood sugar spiking high and then dropping low and will negatively affect your mood, energy and stress levels. 

• Healthy food tips can be applied especially when holiday shopping to keep stress chemicals like cortisol and adrenaline from coursing through your veins and causing havoc. When you're body (and brain) are fueled, your energy with soar and you'll be more calm and in control.  

Tips to Sustain Energy While Holiday Shopping 

• Don't overdress in shopping malls; getting overheated will make you feel exhausted. Make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes or boots. Aching feet are counter-productive to body, mind healing and will only exasperate stress levels.
• Bring a water bottle with you to keep hydrated.
• Keep healthy snacks in your bag, in your car - almonds and an apple, cashews and some dried cranberries, a healthful power bar.
• Don't overindulge in junk food.
• A good breakfast could include one with protein in it - some yogurt, eggs or cheese, fruit, toast with peanut or almond butter.
• Stop for lunch: a salad with some protein - fish, chicken, or bring a sandwich with you with some carrot and celery sticks and an apple for dessert.