The coldest months of the year are upon us and the holidays are in full swing. While this time of year can be quite magical and enjoyable for many, for others, it’s a time of stress, anxiety, and constant challenges. If you are someone who struggles a lot this time of year, trust that there are some solutions to change this season once and for all. Here are a few positive changes you can make now to enjoy the upcoming holidays as much as possible.
Minimize Triggers
Being mindful is half the battle in managing your stress levels. Pay attention to what your triggers are and do your best to minimize those things. If you have to face something stressful, such as a get-together with family members that frustrate you, prepare yourself ahead of time to take everything with a grain of salt. Make good choices to keep yourself mentally healthy beforehand so that you can handle any situations with a positive attitude. Also, if you feel yourself getting burned out, remember that it’s okay to say no to certain events and commitments this time of year. You will enjoy yourself more if you set some boundaries for yourself and stick to them.
Eat Well and Drink Water
Eating a well-balanced diet and consuming enough water is absolutely vital in managing stress and staying joyful. Especially during the holidays when sweets, alcohol, and over-consumption are the norm, do your best to set limits for yourself and stick to them. The more you nourish your body with quality foods, the more balanced your emotions will be, leaving you better equipped to manage stress. When your body is well-nourished and well-hydrated, you will sleep better, find it easier to be joyful, and handle stressful situations much better.
Stay Active
This time of year can be hard on physical activity levels. With the colder weather, shorter days, and cloudier skies, it can be hard to be active outdoors and maintain a healthy activity level. Exercise is a great natural mood-booster, and it’s a great way to manage and reduce stress, so try your best to get up and moving on a regular basis. Even if you’re traveling or stuck indoors for days or weeks on end, getting your heart rate up is great for managing stress and keeping you as healthy as possible.
Continue Chiropractic Care
It can be difficult to take care of yourself this time of year, between all the traveling, holiday closures, and busy calendars. But you know as well as we do how important chiropractic is to your overall health and wellbeing, so prioritize getting adjusted over the next few months to keep your immune system functioning well and to keep yourself as happy, healthy, and pain-free as possible.
To learn more about how neurologically-based chiropractic care can help you be proactive in your health and manage your holiday stress, contact Dr. Tom Niemela and his staff at Arbor Vitae Chiropractic in Bentonville, AR. Now is the most important time of the year to maintain your care schedule and keep getting adjusted, so be sure not to miss an appointment with Dr. Niemela and the Arbor Vitae team.