Holiday gift shopping is an easy trap to fall into, not to mention all the holiday stress:
“I have to get that shirt Helen wanted from Bloomingdales before they run out of it!”
“Oh! I can’t forget to order Steve’s shirt, or it’ll never arrive in time!”
“Oh no! I still haven’t sent Shelly and Adam their holiday cards! Will they get them before the holidays are over?”
“I’m trying to eat right over the holidays… but how am I going to avoid Heather’s signature apple pie? I don’t want to upset her!”
Don’t worry — I get stressed during the holidays, too. It happens to us all. The important thing is not to bottle it up! This is why I’m about to show you a few easy ways to reduce your holiday stress. (And then I’m going to ask you a question.)
You see, in addition to spoiling your holiday fun, stress can ruin your holiday health progress. How? By stimulating the release of cortisol, the “fight or flight” hormone.
Once released, cortisol starts converting amino acids to blood sugar, which you then store as fat. And this blood sugar yo-yoing makes you crave more sugar — potentially sending you on a stress eating binge!
Obviously, that’s not what we want!
So, here are a few quick ways to reduce your holiday stress:
- Exercise — Nothing burns off stress faster than exercise. Stress is a “fight or flight” response. And exercise is how you “fight” off the stress! And it doesn’t have to be extreme. It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk! I like to take my little Lucy girl along with me. If you have a four-legged love, you have no excuse not to take that walk. Borrow a dog if that will get you walking! I have no doubt the owner will be thrilled to have the help.
- Humor — It’s next to impossible to experience intense stress when you’re genuinely laughing. So, read a funny article. Tell silly jokes with friends. Watch a comedy. Simply laugh at the absurdity of life! If you treat things with sincere humor and joy, holiday stress doesn’t stand a chance!
- Be kind to others — Especially if they aren’t being nice to you. Have empathy for that angry shopper that brushes by you rudely. If you take an empathetic approach instead of an angry one…I promise you, you’ll feel much better.
Most of all, just put things into perspective! Identify the source of your holiday stress and ask yourself, “THIS is what I’m stressed about? Am I going to let THIS ruin my holidays?”
And then answer your own question with a resounding, “No way!”
And speaking of questions, it’s about time I ask you my question:
If shopping for yourself can give you a little; 1. Exercise (Burn 100 calories for every 30 minutes of trying on clothes!), 2. Humor (I will be sure to make it a enjoyable experience, plus girl talk is always fun.) and, 3. Be kind to others (you can use the time to select something for someone in your gift basket, I’ll be there to help), why not use this time to ease your holiday stress?
I still have a few spots left to schedule a shopping session so contact me!
Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you. Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.
If you have a question also post it in the comment section below. I check it daily. Since the topic is always about fashion or style no question that you ask will be “off Topic.”
That means as far as I’m concerned, when you ask a question that is the topic. Everyone else who’s reading it can follow up on my answer. There will be no questions that you ask that will be too far off topic because your question will be the current topic. So…ask away!
Oh…and your email address is not “required” even though it says so. 🙂 Don’t even ask.
Blog me.
Love,
~Michelle
Michelle,
Boy do I need more of all those in my life. I can’t hire you just yet, but I’ll take your tips and do the best i can through the holidays. it is a stressful time. I hope we make it.
Love,
Sindy Lu