Have Yourself a Stress-Free Holiday

Fun, friends, family, food: Holidays are the best of times. But they’re also stressful times, full of demands and deadlines.

What is stress? It’s what you feel when you react to pressure. Under stress, you may feel anxious, overtired, or even angry. Too much stress can lead to illness, depression, and heart problems.

How can you ease your holiday stress? First, unpack your schedule. You can say “no” to that extra event or houseguest. Another tried-and-true tip: Exercise. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, improves mood and lowers blood pressure.

Recent research offers some other intriguing stress-busters:

• Enjoy music. Any music will do, as long as you like it.
• Write. Studies show that writing about what stresses you out can help improve your mood. In fact, you’ll feel less and less negative about the same trouble or concern each time you write about it.
• Get a massage. Swedish massage in particular lowers blood pressure and eases tension.

Finally, know that you’re not alone. In fact, two-thirds of Americans say they plan to seek help to relieve stress. If feelings of anxiety or hopelessness persist, talk with your doctor.