It\u2019s the most wonderful time of the year \u2013 and also the most stressful. The holiday season brings with it special challenges, from travel, to shopping for gifts, to hearing holiday songs at every turn, to making New Year\u2019s Eve plans. \u00a0Here are some ideas for keeping stress and anxiety in check this December.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s sometimes hard to keep a healthy diet when you\u2019re bombarded with candy canes and chocolates at countless events.\u00a0 Indulge here and there, but make sure not to overdo it. If you\u2019re concerned about diving into a fruitcake head-first, consider eating a high-protein, high-fiber meal before heading out to events where you know fatty, sweet foods will be lurking, waiting to lure you into anxiety-causing weight gain.<\/p>\n
Have you thought about starting a meditation practice in 2017?\u00a0 Start early \u2013 the holidays are a perfect\u00a0 opportunity to spend some time with your thoughts. Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood and alertness. There are many useful meditation resources, from meditation apps to meditation centers like The Path. But all you need to get started is a pillow and a timer.<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re not feeling your best, it can be helpful to give to others. The holiday season is a great time to volunteer (though keep in mind that nonprofit organizations need volunteers all year round). Do what works for you \u2013 volunteering at a soup kitchen, donating coats for a coat drive, or helping a nonprofit with marketing, design, or administrative duties.<\/p>\n
Anxiety has significant physical effects, and can manifest itself as a headache, back ache, or insomnia. Massage gets at the root of anxiety-caused ailments. Massage health benefits include a better immune system, improved mood, and lowered blood pressure. Perfect for an anxious December.<\/p>\n
Sleep isn\u2019t a cure-all, but it\u2019s close. Over a third of Americans don\u2019t get enough sleep<\/a> \u2013 7 hours is the recommended minimum. Sleep deprivation doesn\u2019t just make you tired, it also makes you more anxious, cranky, forgetful, and prone to depression. Get your zzzs \u2013 steps that can help include skipping big meals and alcohol at bedtime, removing phones and computers from your bedroom, and getting a Zeel Massage at home<\/a> at night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s the most wonderful time of the year \u2013 and also the most stressful. The holiday season brings with it special challenges, from travel, to shopping for gifts, to hearing holiday songs at every turn, to making New Year\u2019s Eve plans. Here are some ideas for keeping stress and anxiety in check this December.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[153,467,470,472,500,593,594,665],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-13883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-best-massage","tag-blood-pressure","tag-holiday-anxiety","tag-holiday-massage","tag-holiday-stress","tag-in-home-massage","tag-massage-at-home","tag-massage-at-night","tag-massage-in-home"],"yoast_head":"\n