Stress of Getting Ready for the Holidays
Whether it be the rush of shopping, getting caught up on work so that you can take some time off for the holidays, or just the rush and bustle of getting ready for this special time of the year, do feel like this fella?
While the holiday season is prime time for family, fun and excitement, this special time of year also brings increased activity, added financial pressure, colder temperatures and more headaches.
All these factors contribute to increased strain on our bodies and minds. During this hectic season, we need to take some time out to do something good for us.
Exercise is the most practical thing you can do to help relieve tension and enjoy the season a little more.
Studies show that there is a direct relationship between emotions and health. Unfortunately, stress can turn the holidays into a time of anger, depression and frustration for many people.
Some physical symptoms of stress are headaches, backaches, high blood pressure, ulcers and irritable bowels.
Consider how stress affects heart disease alone. It contributes to three key factors that lead to heart disease: heart rate, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.
When we are in a stressful situation, such as a hectic family gathering or shopping mall traffic, stress causes all three indicators to increase dramatically. Without a doubt, it is important to minimize the effect stress has on our lives, especially during the holidays.
Often, we neglect our exercise regimen during November and December, with good intentions to get back on track during the new year. In doing so, we neglect the most important factor in preventing holiday stress. Exercise helps the body release tension and relieve mental and physical fatigue caused by stress.
A vigorous activity, such as brisk walking, raises your body temperature, burns up the chemicals your body produces during stress, improves emotional mood and increases our ability to cope with problems.
In our next newsletter, we will discuss some exercises we can do to help relieve stress.
