25 quick ways to break the stress of holidays

The holiday season often brings an unwanted guest. (No, not your brother-in-law of Knucklehead.) Here's how to relax, no matter what (or who) the season can throw you up.


The Yutuites season requires a lot of us: there are decorations to set up, gifts to buy, parts to attend, parties to prepare - and, if you have small, the illusion of Creating a big man will drive in reverse burglary in your house. The good news is that by integrating some or all of the following strategies, you can minimize the stress that accompanies public holidays. Heck, you can even appreciate them this time.

Meditate

The holidays can feel like a shakedown sometimes. Fortunately, meditation will not cost you a penny, the more you can do it anywhere and at any time. According to a review of 47 studies published in the journalJAMA internal medicine In 2014, the meditation of mindfulness was effective in reducing anxiety as well as depression and pain. The technique consists in being still and focusing on the present moment, while focusing on relaxing voltage areas throughout the body. The author of the study indicated that this stated that only two-hours and a half of practice were sufficient for significant results.

Spend money, but on experiences, not things

Of course, we want to see our faces to be loved to light when we give them a tangible gift, we know they will love, but a group of psychologists has discovered something they call the paradox easterlin, which poses that physical property will not make us happy to one point. Unlike things, experiences are part of ourselves. Whether they are a luxury vacation or a cinema trip, experiences also promote social connections, which have demonstrated atmosphere benefits.

Smile

There is something to say for a little unsinclistion from time to time, especially around the holidays. According to a study by the University of Kansas, forcing a false smile reduces stress. The subjects of the study participants were invited to plunge their hands in a bucket of ice water while forcing a smile. Researchers monitor the subjects recorded lower blood pressure in people who smiled through the ice experience. In addition, smilers reported less anxiety than those who showed neutral expressions or distress.

Stop sneaking cigarettes

All that the vacation stress is enough to try to return to old habits. And although you associate smoking with the reduction of your stress level, the experts had to differ. Research shows that with the first cigarette of the day, heart rate will increase from 10 to 20 beats per minute. Blood pressure will increase 5 to 10 points.

Lace

Think about a brief morning race or a strength circuit as a rocket fuel to annoy the hectic season. Researchers in Denmark have found that people who work only two hours a week - it's only 17 minutes a day - are less than 61% less likely to feel stressed. "People who make exercise before stressful encounters report tips lowered in blood pressure during events because their blood vessels are relaxed," says Rod Dishman, Ph.D., Professor of the Science Exercise University of Georgia. The perspiration before the work can mean less perspiration once you have hidden. Try our exclusivityHow to stay skinny for life: training!

Make a list

No, not to keep the tabs on which has been ugly or kind. It is an adaptation strategy for a period in which your task list seems to grow and grow. Of course, doing a long list of things you need to do might seem stressful in the short term, but do not have an agenda might end up more expensive. "Have a lot to make a feeling of healthy pressure to reach more focus," says Don Wehaouse, J.D., founder of the Productivity Institute. Wetmore suggests overloading your day by 50%. "A project tends to develop with the time allotted," he says. "Give yourself one thing to do, and it will take all day. But give yourself 12 things, and you will have new."

Do something nice

No doubt the most poignant story about the holiday season isA Christmas Carol. Familiar? Good. Now, ask yourself: who is more stressed by the season, Ebenezer Scrooge or his nephew Fred, who invites his uncle miserly at Christmas every year even if it is almost certain to refuse? Be like Fred, even to the people of your life that are systematically being jerky. "Avoidance adds to long-term stress," says the family-run consultant and the Mario Alonso psychologist, Ph.D. "facing problems and acting on them, you take control and that the feeling of Empowerment will reduce stress. " Even better: an act of random kindness to the Salhole office will automatically feel you better on yourself even if it goes unpaid, perhaps especially if it happens badly.

Hitch

In traditional Chinese medicine, the Charnu location between your index and your thumb is called the Hoku key.Applicating the closing pressure there for only 30 seconds can reduce the tension in your top of the body. When you start feeling overwhelmed by the madness of the holidays, give your hoku on site a pressure and take a deep breath.

Go analog

Constant mobile phone buzzing and email alerts Keep us in fighting or stimulating adrenaline flashes. Not only is it exhausting, it helps to mount the stress levels. Use holiday festivities like an excuse to turn these gadgets.

Do not maximize on caffeine

Caffeine can give you an increase in the need for a season filled with tasks and bonds, but consume too much and you could raise your stress and hormones associated with them. Instead of coffee, try tea. In a British study, people who drank four black tea cups throughout the day experienced a decrease of 47% of cortisol, a stress-related hormone.

Do less, enjoy more

"We go to the sea to the sea to please others during the holidays: go shopping, cooking, sending cards and attending each event," says George Pratt, PhD, a psychologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in California. "Instead, take care of you saying not at least once - and maybe more."

Agree on who does what

Like most family issues, vacation tasks - Holiday Fighting, Buy Gifts, Entertaining Family Crowds and Friends - are a collaboration, collaboration that runs less around efficiency than emotion. "Start with her," says Audrey Nelson, Ph.D., CoauthorThe Gender Communication Manual. "Ask your thoughts, feelings and ideas about how these tasks should go. The more mutual and shared decision-making process, the better."

Forget the perfection

The story of Clark W. Griswold's Yukend of Clark W. Has anything fueled to your crazy desire to win a holiday celebration? Stop obeying everything. The world will not end if the house is a little crowded or dinner is a few minutes late. "Focus your energy to enjoy people in your life," said Donna Schempp, Director of the Family Aid Alliance Program. Do not transpire the little things and your vacation will be much more enjoyable.

If it feels good, do it

You may have installed a Christmas tree or a Hanoukkah bush in your home, but do not let it stop you go further. In a recent study, British researchers found a direct link between time spent in the green space and reduced stress levels. (The Japanese call it "bathing forest".) If it is too cold, take 15 minutes to do something you like instead. Play with the dog, observe the YouTube clips of cats jumping in Christmas trees, all that floats your boat. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that study participants who engage in pleasant activities have shown a reduction in blood pressure and cortisol levels.

Breathe through a nostril at a time

This is called the breathing method of Nadishudhi Alternate-Nostril, and has a deep and immediate effect on the body, says Kavita Chandwani, M.D., M.PH. She describes the technique: hold your closed right nostril with your thumb, then breathe by your left nostril. Without letting your breath, cover your left nostril. Exhale through the right nostril, then inhale through this nostril with the covered left nostril, close your right nostril and exhale on the left. Do this for 1 minute. The more breaths are long, the better. The closure of one of the air passages takes you to take more more, deeper breathing (this requires them basically to breathe from the belly), which calms the nerves, slows heart rate and reduces blood pressure.

Sleeping better with 5-HTP

This plant extract (available in capsules at most pharmacies) increases the increase in serotonin, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. After consulting your doctor, try taking it and note how this affects the amount of stress you feel.

Plan a real holiday

As you could expect you to take at least four or five days off, you can dramatically reduce your level of stress. If you have children and opt for a living room during the holidays, turn in turn with your partner with your partner or send them to their own vacation at Grandma to give you some piece to breathe.

Speak more slowly

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by vacation stress, practice more slowly than you would usually do. You will probably find that you can think more clearly and react more reasonably to stressful situations. You will also develop a feeling of calm. See, stressed people tend to speak quickly and out of breath; By slowing down your speech, you will appear to be less anxious and more in control of any situation.

Drink hard stuff only for meals

If you can limit yourself to modest verses, stick with wine rather than liquor difficult to holiday nights. Research from the New York State University in Buffalo show that men who drink alcohol other than during the meal are increasing their risk of high blood pressure of 49%, compared to those who use Booze only to wash Dinner.

Get your 8 hours

Here is a reason to settle for a long nap. The sleep of the sound allows the body to recover and regulate greater blood pressure, declares Ka-Kit Hui, Mr.D., Professor and Director of the Center for East Medicine of the UCLA Medicine School of David Geffen.

Give and receive support

Use the dinner preparation time to ask for your wife or spouse about their day, especially as the vacation stress goes up. New research from Florida State University on more than 400 work couples revealed that men and women with support spouses focused better at work, were less likely to go home and reported more satisfaction with the time spent with their children. To prevent burning home fires, check out our exclusive guide of theSecrets of the best relations!

Look forward

It would be tempting to turn off your brain after the Mayhem from another day at the head of public holidays, but before doing it, take 15 minutes to think over the next day. Most people put this little detail for the morning and it never works. "It's the biggest productivity error of all," says Morgenstern. "The day already hangs on you." Plan tomorrow more two: the three-day arc will keep you focused on the largest image and you will better delegate, prioritize, organize holiday tasks.

Have sex

"Sex is a powerful stress-buster," says Daniel Kirsch, Ph.D., President of the United States Institute of Stress. "It releases endorphins and induces deep relaxation." First step? Relax. Stress, including vacation stress, stifles women's orgasms and men's erections. Suggests taking a shower together or offering him a massage, says Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author ofBecause it feels good. If you are still not mood, do not sweep it. "Too many men have sex when they are not really mood," she says. "And then they have problems that they panic and that anxiety extends them next time. Make a verification of the rain. Women do all the time - men can also."

Give a "Practical" gift

In a study, the participants who gave massages had fewer misfortunes of medicine and less stress than those who received strawberries. Why not you and your partner, you and your partner are you for a massage of a couple or, if you want to have movements of your choice, gifts.

Positively think

Negative thinking can trigger the response to the stress of your body, just as a real threat. The holidays are the moment to celebrate with your family and your friends (even if they stress you!). Optimistic perspectives will help you cope with challenges that will come your way.


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