Stress Free Holiday Season! Is It Possible?

The Holiday Season can make us feel stressed about work and family responsibilities.  Here are some quick ideas  to reduce your tension. 

Crack Up

Invite over your best girl friends, watch a movie and share a few good laughs. Every time you crack up, increased oxygen levels going into your organs increase, blood flow increases, and stress dissipates. Just thinking about cracking up is enough to lower your stress hormone levels.

Pet Your Dog, Cat (or for that manner, Your Kids)We’ve all heard that pets give unconditional love, but did you know that they are also good for your health?When you pet your dog even for a few minutes, your body releases feel-good hormones like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin and decreases the amount of the damaging stress hormones that are released. The results are lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and even a boost in immunity.

Clean the ClutterClean House...Clean Mind.  Too much “stuff” can be overwhelming and be a causing factor to stress. Anxiety can occur when you can't find your keys, purse or the checkbook. De-clutter to De-stress.  Undertake the de-cluttering of a drawer, a shelf. A clean space can be satisfying and soothing.   Not to mention the added bonus of de-cluttering is good exercise and can burn more than 250 calories per hour.

Design a Live Bouquet of FlowersThe smell of fresh flowers can make you feel more relaxed. Chemicals from new fresh flowers can help block the release of stress hormones in the brain. You are also creating something beautiful to place as a centerpiece.  Not only pleasing to the nose, but the eyes as well.

Drink Some Orange JuiceThe tart beverage that already may be a regular part of your morning routine could help you in surprising ways. Researchers say vitamin C may help people manage their stress more effectively by lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol. If orange juice is too acidic for your digestive system, vitamin C-rich foods such as grapefruit juice, strawberries, or sweet red peppers can help boost your immune system.

Tune UpTurn up the radio in the car or ipod, or sing in the shower. No matter how out of tune you are, singing can make you feel happier.  Added benefits of singing-it can be good for your breathing and posture, as well as your heart and immune system.

Walk With a PurposeExercise is a great way to ease stress. It helps your body produce endorphins -- the neurotransmitters in your brain that make you feel good. It also forces you to focus, helping you forget what's making you anxious. Exercising in warm, sunny weather can boost your mood. And if you walk briskly for at least 30 minutes, you'll meet daily exercise recommendations, and ramp up stress-busting benefits even more.  If the weather outside is frightful, walk on the treadmill or elliptical or just bundle up and brave the weather.  You will also burn calories trying to stay warm.

Chew Gum
Chewing gum can do more than freshen your breath. According to research, chewing a stick of gum also seems to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve mental performance during tasks

Shhh...Have SexWhen you're stressed out, getting frisky might be the last thing on your mind. But having sex is actually a great way to relieve tension and ease stress. Sex lowers blood pressure, boosts self-esteem, and increases feelings of intimacy with your partner. It can also help you sleep better, which is a great benefit when you've spent sleepless nights stressing about problems.

My Most Favorite...Take a Deep Breath

No matter where you are, taking a deep whiff of lavender or rosemary can put you into a more relaxed state. Inhaling those aromas can lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol.  Just the act of breathing deeply is also a stress buster. Deep breathing sends oxygen surging through your bloodstream, helping to calm your entire body.