Santa isn’t the only one who could use a holiday helper.
It’s hard to stay cheerful when you’re navigating packed shops, post offices and airports, looking for gifts amid inflationary pressures and spending time with family after a divisive election.
If stress is preventing you from sledding the season, Dr. Michelle Loy has six tips for easing anxiety in the chaos of the holidays.
“People’s routines can get out of whack this time of year, so as we prepare to celebrate, it’s even more important to stick to a routine of healthy practices that will ultimately help you achieve a healthier mindset ,” Loy, an integrative medicine physician in NewYork. -Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, said as part of the “Health Matters” series.
Give priority to whole foods
Loy recommends skipping processed foods in favor of healthy foods that provide energy, fiber and disease-fighting nutrients. This may be easier said than done during the holidays.
“I always tell my patients to focus on augmentation, rather than limiting or depriving,” Loy told The Post. “Come from a mind of abundance, crushing what does not serve you.”
Loy suggests simple swaps, like desserts made with natural sweeteners.
Graviton in dishes with seasonal vegetables like onions, celery, garlic and mushrooms, which boast anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Fruits like pomegranates and blueberries can also support our immune system.
Stay active
Don’t let the holidays disrupt your exercise routine.
It’s important to stay active to help manage blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, improve sleep and relieve stress.
Loy encourages outdoor exercise weather permitting. Exposure to sunlight sets our body’s internal clock, which affects foraging behaviors, sleep, and mood.
Get enough sleep
Loy recommends getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night to support immune function, lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, help focus, memory and cognitive processing, and reduce anxiety and worry. emotional.
If you have trouble sleeping that long, Loy advises getting some light in the morning, practicing deep breathing and mindful movement like yoga or stretching to relax your body, and developing a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve screen time ( think herbal tea, a bath, a book or journal) and make your bed in the morning.
“Getting into a flat bed prepares the body for good rest,” Loy told The Post.
Embrace the moment
“Tis the season of joy – you can find happiness by living in the moment and performing small acts of kindness.
Smiling at a stranger while running errands, Loy said, increases the “love hormone” oxytocin, which boosts our mood and feelings of well-being.
Take the mess
Instability can help you feel more in control of your space and life.
Giving away things you no longer need can be a small act of kindness that reinforces a positive mindset, Loy said.
Practice self-care
While you’re running around buying gifts for everyone else, don’t forget to make time for the things you love.
Forget your to-do list and electronics and enjoy a relaxing bath or a warm cup of herbal tea for the sake of your mental health, Loy said.
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