Taking the Stress and Anxiety Out of the Holidays

Millions of people across the country are preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with friends and family with great anticipation and enthusiasm. Without question, the holiday season is one that many look forward to; however, for countless others, this time of year brings with it great stress, anxiety, and even depression.

            According to a recent poll conducted by the American Psychological Association, nearly a quarter of Americans reported feeling “extreme stress” due to the holiday season. Statistics indicate that a large number of individuals feel either stressed and/or anxious as a result of a real or perceived lack of time and money.

            So, the question that arises is how can one recapture the peace and joy of the holiday season by relieving the pressure and stress that often characterizes it? Here are few helpful tips that have proven to be effective in that effort.

            Incorporating prayer and meditation can be a tremendous stress reliever. Studies indicate that consistent prayer and meditation promote cardiovascular health, improved breathing and deep rest. It also helps to decrease blood pressure.

            One can also potentially reduce holiday stress and anxiety by making better dietary choices and resisting the temptation to “binge” or overeat. Nutrients from healthy foods can help improve blood flow. A healthy diet builds a solid, more enduring foundation for the body by reducing oxidation and inflammation.

            Learning to say “no” can be very difficult. But when it is appropriately and wisely used, it is a word that can bring much-needed peace and sanity to one’s world. It can be very difficult and challenging to put one’s needs ahead of others, but in an effort to maintain good health, wellness and peace of mind, it is absolutely necessary to declutter the mind and prioritize daily to-do lists. Individuals should also work diligently to reduce the urge to overschedule.

            Financial pressure and constrained budgets can also kick stress and anxiety into overdrive. For this reason, it is very important to work within a disciplined budget and to practice financial discipline and responsibility. It is better to plan and start a purchase strategy well in advance—possibly by starting a holiday gift account.

            Depression can also arise over the holidays due to personal loss and/or emotional hurt. One should acknowledge those feelings. If someone has suffered the loss of a loved one or experienced a broken relationship, it is normal to feel sadness and grief and to cry or express those feelings. If an individual feels lonely or isolated, he or she should seek out community support and companionship. Volunteering one’s time to help others also is a very good way to lift one’s spirits and broaden friendships, which helps to eradicate depression.

            Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can also help to combat depression, relieve stress and help the body recharge. A personalized wellness plan that empowers an individual through good nutrition, body detox, stress management and fitness can be very instrumental in recapturing the joy and peace of the holiday season. Dr. Rachel Hall and her Expect Wellness team provide these services with great care and professionalism. A health coach is also on staff to personally walk every patient through each step of the process.

For more information, call Dr. Rachel Hall, owner of Expect Wellness (located at 130 Suber Rd., Ste. D, in Columbia), at 803-796-1702 or visit DrRachelHall.com.