January is the time to De-stress from Holiday Cheer

Tips to De-Stress after the Holidays

Beginning in November the social calendar is full, with once a year events and potlucks galore, not to mention shopping and craft fairs.  It is a busy time with lots of excitement and family activities.  But when the gifts are open, the food is gone, family has gone home, and decorations are gone, exhaustion may set in.  If the holidays didn’t go as well as you hoped or you are now faced with the consequences of over spending, your stress levels may be high.  Here are a few tips to shed the holiday aftermath and refocus positive energy in your life:

•  Get some sleep. There's nothing better than sleep for healing your body and mind. As the days get shorter, nights gets longer, making winter the perfect time for catching up on sleep. Go to bed an hour (or even 30 minutes) early each night until you start feeling energetic again.  Don't make the mistake of staying up thinking about items that bother you and staring at the TV.
•  Get some exercise. It will kick-start the feel-good endorphins in your brain and help you work out some unresolved anger and irritation--not to mention, it will help you sleep better.  There are many things you can do even in your house without going out into the cold.
• Start something new. Try a new hobby or sport or join a club. Shaking up your routine can get you out of the holiday doldrums.  Over the years we stop doing some of the hobbies we enjoyed, re-visit something you used to like to do.
• Remind yourself of the good things. If you find yourself feeling low or beat up, take some time to review your accomplishments. Write them down to remind yourself of all the good things you've done.  Many times we do small things for others and don't even realize the impact we are making on their days.  So don't forget your little accomplishments.
• Send thank-you notes. Studies have shown that feeling grateful helps improve your mood.  Thank family members and friends for their contribution to the holidays. You'll brighten their day while helping yourself feel better about the whole experience.