Get Your Holiday Stress Under Control - By: C S Lewis

One of the things that come right after the holidays is stress. Gift returns, credit card bills, business as usual at work, the start of tax season all converge to compound stress. Many people suffer from it, and most have a hard time dealing with it. So we ask ourselves "What is stress, and how do I know I've been sucked into its pull?" Do you feel you are working too much? Do you find that when you are around certain people you go into "Flight or Fight?" Do you feel like you are losing control of the environment around you? These are all signs of stress, but don't worry, because there are ways to manage stress.

Rest and relaxation are two of the best ways to relieve stress. Plan to keep your schedule open at the end of the day, and at the end of the week. This will help you calm down from the frustrations of work. Do something that you enjoy in your leisure time to compensate for the stress that was experienced at work. Good things to do in your leisure time include: take up a non-rushed sport or hobby Like sailing, walking, reading a book, watching TV, or just being outside. Vacations are another way to rest and relax, and very necessary. If you have long-term stress built up, take two weeks off instead of one. A two week vacation will give you the proper time to unwind, fully relax and recover for your travels if you leave town for part of your vacation.

Adequate sleep is also key to managing stress, because it is necessary for our body and mind to function properly. On average, people need at least 8hours of sleep. If we do not get the proper sleep we need, then our concentration and our energy levels decline. The lack of sleep can sometimes determine our effectiveness on the job, and therefore increase stress. As our concentration weakens so does our work performance, and as our energy declines we become less proactive. This means that on top of normal work stress it becomes almost unbearable sometimes. Make sure you get enough sleep at night. You'll be amazed at what a good night's sleep can do for you and your stress.

Deep breathing is a very simple yet effective method of stress management. Deep breathing is the core component of many stress relief programs from the "ten deep breaths" approach to calming someone down, to yoga and meditation. Deep breathing works well in the fact that this simple act can relax your entire body. Deep breathing comes from the diaphragm which means your abdomen expands rather than your chest. This pulls air deep into the lungs to promote full body relaxation. To use this technique, take a number of deep breaths and relax your body after each breath.

Making simple changes such as setting aside time to relax, establishing routines for meaningful sleep, and performing deep breathing exercises will help you to destress throughout the year.

About the Author

Caitlin is from Salt Lake City and works for Sweetly You; where you can find Bath Body products and Fragrance to compliment any personality.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/C-S-Lewis/59731

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