Holiday Stress Busters

Christmas can be a very stressful time of the year. It is a time of year when family, friends and jobs can add an extra load to your busy schedule. Holiday parties, gift buying, and meal preparation can make an already busy life seem impossible to handle. This year many eastern North Carolina residents will also be dealing with the recovery from Hurricane Matthew.

Stress has an adverse affect on our bodies. An accumulation of that stress can lead to chronic medical problems such as anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, heart disease, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and memory problems.

The following are a few techniques to assist in reducing stress during this season and all year long:

-Walk, a 30 minute walk daily provides a multitude of health benefits including better sleep.

-Increase your mood with sunlight. Take your work breaks outside when the weather allows.

-Laugh. See the joy in life. It’s been shown that laughter reduces stress hormones.

-Simplicity in the holiday celebrations. Enjoy those you are with and don’t go overboard. Forget

perfection and don’t sweat the tiny details.

- Learn to say no. You can’t be everywhere for everybody every time there is a holiday party.

-Listen to your favorite music or watch your favorite movies.

-Turn off the tech gadgets. Disengage from the need to know what’s happening the minute it

occurs.

-Volunteer. Get out of the house. There are many people and places that could benefit from

your assistance in our recovery period from Hurricane Matthew.

-Increase your intake of citrus foods. Did you know that citrus fragrance has been shown to increase norepinephrine, a hormone that affects mood?

We, at the Wayne County Health Department wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy Christmas season.