Holiday Health Tips

The holidays are upon us already. Many people are excited and many are not. Just yesterday I witnessed two women yelling at a sales clerk. I thought to myself, "Either it's that time of the month or they really need to learn to be calm and kind to others." The holiday season can be very draining and emotionally tough on many people, that's why it is important to find ways to destress, relax and spread calmness and kindness to yourself and others.

We all find calmness and peace in different ways. For myself, the quickest way for me to find my inner calm is to go sit at the beach, jog along the water and just soak up the smell of the salt air and sunshine. There is something about the vastness of the ocean that fascinates me. The sound of the waves, the smell of the air is so peaceful. Not everyone lives near a beach though, so you can find other ways to experience calm. Perhaps you live near a lake or a great walking trail. Get yourself back to nature. Try going for a long walk. While walking notice your surroundings. Start giving gratitude for the trees, the earth and the gentle sounds around you. Before you know it, you will have forgotten what was stressing you out and you will feel that inner calmness creeping in.

If you don't like walking or jogging, there are plenty of other ways to experience peace and calmness. Let me share a few ideas:

- Join a gym

- Watch a comedy or good movie on television

- Find a hobby like knitting or photography

- Schedule "me" time for yourself

- Practice meditation and/or yoga

- Volunteer to help those less fortunate

The trick is to find something you enjoy and make time to do it. Most people think they are so busy that they can't possibly find even 15 minutes in their day to do something for themselves, but you can. I find that if I schedule the time for myself just like a work appointment, I'm more likely to stick to it. Sometimes just taking that 15 minutes for yourself is all you need to feel recharged and ready to face the day. When you feel rested, you are more likely to feel calm.

These tips are great throughout the whole year not just the holidays. However, the holiday season is when most people experience the most stress. You are over worked, feeling like you might not have enough money, you are out buying gifts and fighting crowds, traffic seems like it increases and patience wears thin. These are the times to remember to stay calm and don't sweat the small stuff. Your health is important. Mental and physical health often go hand in hand. If you are feeling too stressed you may manifest some physical symptoms like headaches, muscle aches and stomach aches. Taking care of your mental health is very important. After all, if you aren't feeling well enough to take care of you, how can you possibly feel well enough to take care of anyone else?

If you are reading this and have reached this part, find a chair and sit down in it. Then close your eyes, take 4 - 8 deep breaths in and blow them out slowly. Remove all negativity from your mind and just listen to your breath moving in and out. Take that 15 minute rest you so desperately need. Sit back, relax and enjoy a few minutes of "me time". Enjoy and remember that your health is important, you are important. Taking time to take care of you is the most important factor in helping you destress, find inner peace and possibly enjoy your holidays instead of stressing your way through them.

Written by: Sue McGaughey