Tips to reduce stress during the holidays

[December 13, 2014]  It’s the holiday season! This is a joyful time of year for most of us, but the holiday hustle and bustle can also be stressful. So here are a few Red Cross tips to help you and your family cope with the heightened anxiety of the season and to keep safety in mind as you decorate:

Remember to eat healthy. Try to keep a balanced diet and drink lots of water. Eat lightly in the days before and after a big holiday feast to keep those holiday pounds at bay.

Get plenty of rest. With so much to do, it may be difficult to have enough time to rest or get adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope.

Set priorities. Tackle that to-do list in small steps. Better yet, strike a few items off your list altogether. A lot of the items that end up on our to-do lists are there because we put them there. It is OK to reassess and trim your list to make it more manageable!

Be patient with yourself and those around you. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a minute or two to regroup. Take a deep breath or two, make yourself a hot cup of tea, and just chill. Remember, tis the season to be jolly, so make that your priority.

Stay connected with family and friends. Everyone is in this together — that’s what holidays are all about. So ask for help if you need it and help others if you can. Overwhelming projects can become fun if you share some tasks with loved ones!

For more information to keep you healthy and safe this holiday season, go the redcross.org/prepare.
Happy holidays!

[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

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The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross