3 Ways to Stress Less this Holiday Season

By: Alexander Lavallis, ACSM EP-C, Exercise Physiologist

For most of us, these next few weeks will be filled with love, laughter, family, and friends, all accompanied by a fair amount of stress. You may spend all your time organizing and trying to prepare so all of your holiday festivities are smooth sailing. However, everything may not go according to plan. If your plans go awry, your stress levels can skyrocket, making a simple problem feel like a complicated issue.

To try and reduce the amount of stress you experience this holiday season, here are some fun holiday activities to help keep your stress levels low and your holiday cheer high.

1. Exercise to Holiday Music

Find a great holiday playlist that will not only push you to the limit, but also get you in the holiday spirit. One of the best things you can do is work up a sweat while listening to seasonal music. One of my personal favorites is “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.

2. Dance to Holiday Music while Cooking in the Kitchen

Nothing feels better than making all of your favorite foods while getting your groove on in the kitchen, whether it’s mixing ingredients in the bowl to the beat of a song or dancing when the pie is finally ready. This is a great way to burn off some calories before you consume some more.

3. Get a Workout/Shopping Partner

What’s better than finding someone who can help you find great deals and stay active at the same time? This partner could be a family member, friend, or coworker to help you build a system of accountability for fitness and exercise.

If you need help developing an exercise program before or after the holidays, the exercise physiologists at Sheltering Arms can help! Visit www.shelteringarms.com/contact-us or call (804) 764-5275 to schedule an evaluation.

 

 

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