Holiday Stress

Most of us deal with everyday stress, well, everymeditation.
day. Throw in some Holidays in the worst economyYoga is, in my opinion, the best stress relief. A gentle
in eons and we have some serious stress to dealhatha yoga practice is simply breathing into some
with. There are ways to reduce your stress andgentle stretching postures. When you focus on what
ways to relieve some of it. You just need to beis happening in your body you are not worrying about
aware of it so you can deal with it in a healthy way.what is going on in the world. You give your brain a
Stress is a strange thing. A situation can be stressfulrest along with your worries.
for one person but not bother another person in theWe end a gentle hatha yoga class with a soothing
least. Every person reacts differently to differentdeep relaxation. These few minutes at the end of
stressors.class allow you to release any stress left in your
Retiring from your job may be stressful for somebody. You can leave a yoga class feeling lighter just
people; others might view it as freedom.from the feeling of stress being lifted off your
A first date might be stressful; or exciting.shoulders.
Job interviews can be stressful; or an opportunity.Remember that all of the stress can still be there,
Speaking in public can be stressful for some and notbut your reaction to it can change. If we practice
for others.healthy ways of stress relief we may not be so
Holiday shopping can be stressful (whew! especiallystressed when we need to get things done. Our
this year). Money is scarce as is time. Many peopleperception of what needs to be done can either be
are out of work. There are too many holidayan anxiety filled crazy list of tasks, or simply a list of
stressors to list here, but they all carry risks ofthings to do as time permits (after yoga, maybe).
ailments with them.Try to choose a healthy reaction.
Anything from a headache to a backache to aTake some healthy time for yourself. Take a night
stomach-ache can be caused from stress. Problems(even a couple of hours) for yourself where you can
sleeping, being constantly irritated, and weight gain orjust sit home in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
loss can also be cause by stress. We need to figureTake a yoga class. Get enough sleep and enough
out ways to relieve stress before it turns intoexercise.
something more ~ like chronic stress or high bloodEnjoy the Holidays with your friends and family this
pressure. Both of these things can bring higher risksyear! Make healthy choices for yourself. Notice the
of heart disease, heart failure, depression, and stroke.difference.
Deal with everyday stress in healthy ways. Plenty ofCheck out my website for some basic yoga
rest and regular exercise are recommended. Exerciseinformation. Sign up for my monthly newsletter.
gives your body a way to release some tension. TryDecember's issue will be about High Blood Pressure
not to overbook yourself. Sometimes you just needand Stress and how Yoga can help.
to say no and stay home. Practice yoga and/orHave fun!