Three Actionable Tips for Managing Stress Turkey Day and the Holidays!

The one thing that accelerates aging and often causes us to put on weight, eat unhealthily and stop exercising is…STRESS! And what happens during the Holidays? …STRESS! Here are three actionable steps you can take to reduce stress and stay healthy anywhere and anytime. Yoga Breath Not only can the meditative effects of yoga help you manage stress and sleep better, but practicing yoga breath has a slew of other cognitive and social benefits. Cultivating a yoga practice can improve your memory and focus, as well as give you the peace of mind needed to face all the stress of the holidays. The breath is one of the best actionable ways to let go of stress. Letting go requires a connection with the present. Most likely the stress you are hanging onto happened in the past, and when we are focused in the present moment, the past loses its grip. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, say to yourself “let go” and then count from one to ten as you exhale. The ten count allows the body and the mind to focus on being present and in the moment. I always remind my students that breathing in is cleansing and exhaling is removing debris. Do this five times. Walk Take a walk, dance and do yoga. Exercise has been shown to be very effective in reducing stress and helping us to let go of whatever is disturbing our sense of balance and peace. Just remember “don’t sweat the small stuff, and in the big scheme of life; it’s all small stuff.” Did you know that creativity reduces stress! There is nothing like a nice walk to get the creative juices brewing. Walking is easy, stress free, and anyone can do it. When we walk, we are circulating blood and oxygen throughout the body and that includes the brain. The mind is free from distractions and we are getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Vitamin D which we get from the sun (which is the best source) is important for overall health including brain health. Scientist know that low levels of D effect cognitive functioning. Think about this; we evolved under natural sunlight and part of the process of evolution is survival; the ability to manage stress and be creative. Talk Talk to yourself; ask yourself this; is it worth hanging onto? Most likely it is not. What might seem insurmountable today might be nothing tomorrow. It’s the things we identify with that create stress. It’s what yoga calls all the “citta” or useless mind stuff that keeps us in the illusion of life. Everything is fleeting. Nothing last forever. So, to de-stress and bring harmony and happiness to your world; change the way you look at things and the way you look at things will change. Just let go and let be. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be happy and to fit in, especially during the holidays. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all the good things in your life. You don’t need a family gathering, a turkey, or a party to practice gratitude. What you do need is the ability to take a breather, move your body, and let go. Take time to relax and focus on the most important thing in life; your health; body, mind and soul. If you are healthy enough to celebrate Turkey Day – give thanks for that! Just remember without your health everything else is meaningless. Doctor Lynn http://www.doctorlynn.com Join me Thursday Dec 1 at 10 AM PST 1PM EST for a FREE WEBINAR How to Survive the Holidays without… Stress- Burnout- Weight Gain – Neglecting Exercise – not getting Adequate Sleep? Why is it so difficult to stay on the health track during the holidays? Learn the three thing that sabotage our health, happiness sand balance and how to master them Learn the foods to eat to insure you stay healthy and manage your weight Learn simple exercises that will help you manage stress and stay balanced Learn simple techniques for improving sleep Get a Holiday Recipe that is healthy, delicious and full of happiness! FREE 30-minute WEBINAR – Thursday Dec 1 @ 10AM PST - 1PM EST Join Doctor Lynn a Naturopath and Yoga therapist as she shares with you not only how to survive the holidays but how to sail into the New year with vim, vigor and vitality. http://www.doctorlynn.com CAN’T ATTEND? Sign up and get access to the FREE RECORDING!