Heartland Behavioral Health Services- Combating Holiday Stress- November 15, 2012

1. Don't give up on all the things that have worked for you over this past year.

2. Don't give up on your healthy eating and fitness routines...if you don't have any, get some! Join a group to exercise with..it will normalize this time of year.

3. Rather than reaching for a bag chips, reach for lean meat, eggs and dairy. These contain tryptophan-an ingredient that helps our body create serotonin; a pleasure producing hormones.

4. Drink plenty of water...stress produces toxins in our bodies that create pain. Water helps flush those out.

5. Say "yes" to a LITTLE chocolate-about 4 squares of dark chocolate can reduce stress hormones.

6. Get out in the fresh air and experience natural light. Natural light enhances a variety of vitamins absorbing into our system-all of which helps to combat illness and the effects of stress

7. Try to keep your family's normal routines, eat dinner together at home, get up and go to bed at the same times. When they say it is enough, STOP

8. Know your limits-personal, professional and financial

9. Take naps, put your feet up, read a book, schedule a massage take long bathes or showers...allow the tension to leave your body

10. Give up on the TV version of the holidays...be realistic and remember that the most important thing to focus on is WHY we have the holidays to begin with...to remind ourselves of what to be thankful for, to bring family together and to celebrate life!