Slowing It Down During the Holidays
The busy holiday season is getting into full swing! You may be feeling that urge to want to do everything for everyone else, but it is important to remember to make sure you are taking care of yourself. Since unmanaged stress can lead to many health issues, make it a personal goal to not overcommit yourself and avoid having stress negatively impact your holidays this year.
Accepting responsibility for the role you play in creating and managing the stress in your life is helpful when balancing time spent between work, home, and entertainment. Simplify your “to do” list, focusing on the most important tasks. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do. Making a plan for each individual week can help keep you organized and on target.Set a strict budget for spending on holiday gifts and stick to it. Write down what you want to purchase for each person, the budget amount, and where to buy it. Having a lot of debt to pay off after the holidays can increase stress levels significantly. Keep gifts simple and thoughtful.
When heading out to hit the stores, take a deep breath before you start driving and take it slow. Try to allot enough time at each stop to avoid feeling rushed. Rushing around and being distracted can lead to careless driving and ultimately increase your risk of getting a traffic violation or worse yet, being involved in a car accident.
These quick tips can also help tame holiday stress:
- Plan a Simple Holiday Menu
- Keep a Relaxed and Positive Outlook.
- Get Enough Sleep
- Exercise Daily for 30 Minutes or less
- Eat Balanced, Nutritious Meals
- Take a Break and Pamper Yourself
- Ask for Help!
So be good to yourself and enjoy all the wonders of the season.
Happy Holidays from Urgent Care of Connecticut!
Cynthia Vanson, MD
Assistant Medical Director, Urgent Care of Connecticut
