The Most Stressful Time of Year 2 Ways to Manage Stress During the Hectic Holiday Season
The holiday season is steeped in tradition, but there is one aspect that doesn’t often get talked about: stress. For many people, the last several weeks of the year are also the most stressful weeks of the year. To handle stress, a lot of people fall back on bad habits, including overindulging in sugar and alcoholic beverages. While stress has many sources, much of it comes from feeling overwhelmed with all of the holiday activities. There are family dinners, shopping excursions, home decorating, gift exchanges, office parties, and more. These obligations are mixed in with normal everyday duties, including work, ferrying the kids or grandkids to and from school, and running errands. But you can defeat that stress! Here are a few ideas to help. Give yourself a break. There is no reason to rush or take on every task. Many so-called obligations during the holiday season are optional. Allow yourself to say no and take a break when you need it — no questions asked. When you don’t take a break, you put yourself at risk mentally and physically. Stress can keep your blood pressure elevated, and the American Heart Association reports that heart attacks are more prevalent during December and January. Upward of 33% more coronary episodes occur during these two months than at any other time.
What can you do? Step away from the people and the rush. Find a quiet place to relax, and give yourself a minimum of 10 minutes to breathe — literally. Breathing exercises can do wonders to center you and change your state of mind during a busy day. Meditation apps like Calm can also help relax and center you. Elevate your heart rate. Whether you go to the gym or work out at home, making time for exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do during this time of year. Even better, you can use exercise time to take a break from holiday obligations. Exercise helps reduce stress, elevate your mood, and manage anger, frustration, and anxiety. But here’s the thing: You have to keep up with it. Researchers at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences found that taking a break from exercising for a few days or a week will bring you back down. All it takes is 30 minutes to an hour a day, and you’ll be feeling great all season long. The choice of doing physical activity is up to you. It just takes commitment!
Have a LAUGH
THE BEST LEFTOVER Turkey Sandwich
Thanksgiving may be held on Thursday, but the food often lasts at least through the weekend. To make the best use of the excess, grill up some killer turkey sandwiches.
INGREDIENTS •
2 slices sourdough bread 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
•
1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing
• • •
2 slices Swiss cheese 1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey
• •
2 tbsp leftover gravy 1 tbsp butter, room temperature
•
3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
DIRECTIONS 1.
Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.
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