10 Tips to Manage Holiday Stress

10 Tips to Manage Holiday Stress.

1. Remember....you are not alone. Ask others to help out.
2. Don't put off until last moment. That only creates more stress and adds more to the holiday frenzy. Plan ahead.
3. Shop online. Saves time and energy.
4. Remember, it's the thought that counts. Don't place extreme demands for the perfect gift.
5. Keep alcohol consumption in moderation.
6. Reach out to others. For some people, holidays could feel isolating and lonely. Volunteering can help you feel better by helping others, feel more connected to people, and expand your network and resources.
7. Stick to a budget. A maxed out credit card certainly can add to the stress.
8. Be realistic with your expectations. If other family members have other obligations and cannot be with you during the holiday, find other ways to connect. This could include Skype, group phone call, e mails, photos and video's.
9. Set limits. Learn to say no.
10. Do not give in to the belief it is okay to let go because it is the holiday. Unhealthy lifestyles make you feel unhealthy. Also creates feelings of guilt and sometimes anger.

It is important to keep in mind the holidays are supposed to be a time of celebration and joy. Try to enjoy the time, appreciate what you have, think positive, stay in control of your situation and offer yourself a break.

35 Proven Stress Reducers

35 Proven Stress Reducers

1. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.

2. Don’t rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up dry cleaning, etc.

3. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home or relationships will be less likely to break down/fall apart “at the worst possible moment”.

4. Eliminate (or restrict) the amount of caffeine in your diet.

5. Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do Tamar, do today; whatever you want to do today, do it now.

6. Plan ahead. Don’t let the gas tank get to low, don’t wait until your down to your last postage stamp to buy more, etc..

7. Don’t put up with something that doesn’t work right. If your alarm clock, wallet, windshield wipers-whatever-are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.

8. Allow 15 minutes of extra time to get appointments. Plan to arrive at the airport one hour before domestic departures.

9. Be prepared to wait. A paperback book can make waiting in line almost enjoyable.

10. Always set up continency plans, “just in case”. (i.e., “if for some reason either of us is delayed, her is what we’ll do...”).

11. At times, relax your standards. This world will not end if the grass doesn’t mowed this weekend, if the laundry is cleaned on Sunday instead of Saturday, etc..

12. For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10 to 50 or 100 blessings.
Count ‘ em!!!

13. Ask questions. Taking a few minutes to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc.., can save hours.

14. Say No! Saying no to extra projects, social activities and invitations you know you don’t ha\ve the time or energy for takes practice, self respect and a belief that everyone, everyday needs quiet time to relax and to be alone.

15. Unplug your telephone. Want to take a long bath, sleep or read without interruption? Drum up the courage to temporarily disconnect. (The possibility of there being a terrible emergency in the next hour or so is almost nil).

16. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

17. Make friends with nonworriers. Nothing can get you into the habit of worrying faster than associating with chronic worrywarts.

18. Get enough sleep.

19. Create order out of chaos. Organize your home and workplace so that you always know exactly where things are. Put things away where they belong and you don’t have to go through he stress of losing things.

20. When feeling stressed, most people tend to breath in short, shallow breaths. When you breath like this, stale air is not expelled, oxidation of tissues is inadequate, and muscle tension usually results. Check your breathing throughout the day. If you find your stomach muscles are knotted and your breathing is shallow, relax your muscles and take several breaths.

21. Learn to live one day at a time.

22. Every day, do something you enjoy.

23. Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend can help you clear your mind of confusion so that you can concentrate on problem solving.

24. Do something for someone else.

25. Do something that will improve your appearance. Looking better can help you feel better.

26. Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back to back appointments.

27. Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are well to compromise upon.

28. Eliminate destructive self talk: “I’m too old to..”’ “I’m too fat...”’ etc.

29. Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

30. If an especially “unpleasant” task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with. Then the rest of the day will be free of anxiety.

31. Take care of today’s as best as you can and yesterday’s and Tamar’s will take care of themselves.

32. Allow yourself time-everyday-for privacy, quiet, and introspection.

33. Do one thing at a time. When you are with someone, be with that person and no one else or nothing else.

34. Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

35. Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best that they can.

Ten Tips for Managing Workplace Stress

Ten Tips to Managing Workplace Stress 

Many get stressed out by work from time to time, but recognizing the severity of it and classifying it as a problem can be the right path towards managing workplace stress.

1. Recognize your stress

Signs and Symptoms : anxiety, irritability, depression, apathy, loss of interest in work, problems sleeping, problems concentrating and/or fatigue.

2. Exercise: It is always important to get your exercise in for the day whether it is taking a walk, riding a bike or running, 30 mins. everyday can help increase your metabolism and increase endorphins, your body's "feel-good" chemicals, giving your mood a natural boost. Exercise will decrease "stress hormones" like cortisol. 

3.  Eat Right: List of  foods that can reduce stress provided by Dr. Susan Kleiner, author of The Good Mood Diet.

• Healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) Examples: olives, olive oil, nuts, seeds, nut and seed butters, nut and seed oils, avocados, fish
• Whey protein Examples: milk and dairy products — lowfat/nonfat milk, yogurt, kefir, smoothies, whey protein powder
• Tryptophan and B vitamins Examples: turkey, lean pork, beef, chicken
• Magnesium (decrease headaches) Examples: nuts, beans, whole grains, spinach
• Ginger (decrease headaches, pain relief)
• Anti-inflammatory effects (bioflavonoids) Examples: pomegranates, grape juice, soy, kale, green beans, apples, citrus, prunes. Also for other anti-inflammatories that they contain: pineapple, fish, wheat germ
• Zinc and iron (boosts immune function) Examples: lean meats, eggs, seafood, whole grains  

4. Avoid Caffeine: Drinking four or five cups of coffee a day makes the body act as if it is under constant stress. Combined with additional work pressures, it can increase blood pressure significantly, leading to an increased risk of long-term heart disease, says a US report. A study of 72 regular coffee drinkers by researchers at the Duke University Medical Center found that they produced high levels of adrenalin and nonadrenalin hormones. Professor James Lane, who took part in the research, told a behavioural medicine conference: "Moderate caffeine consumption makes a person react like he or she is having a very stressful day. If you combine the effects of real stress with the artificial boost in stress hormones that comes from caffeine, then you have compounded the effects considerably." RXTM-chronic stress

5. Increase Communication: Having a open communication platform between supervisors and staff can decrease stress on both ends. It is easier to map out what each parties want when there is face to face interaction. Getting assignments ahead of time and learning what each other wants out of one another can give reassurance to both parties that each one is on the same page. The Mayo Clinic gives a more in depth look into increased communication leads to decrease in workplace stress. 

6. Time Manage: It is important to set priorities. Get ahead of your agenda and map out a weekly plan of assignments that you need to complete. Even mapping out the hours of in-office work for the day can decrease stress about getting work completed for the day. It can ultimately increase time spent on work with with the decrease of time spent worrying.

7. Organize: Even though many may have digital file folders of their work and information, many still have hard copies of the most important information. It is important to file accordingly. Alphabetize or place in numeric order the documents that you often use. Set a schedule both online and in a personal planner. 8. Avoid Alcohol and Nicotine. Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety and worry, but too much can cause anxiety as it wears off. Drinking to relieve job stress may also eventually lead to alcohol abuse and dependence. Similarly, smoking when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed may seem calming, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant; leading to higher, not lower, levels of anxiety. HELPGUIDE.org

9. Talk to your loved one. Opening up about what your career entails with a loved one might not only increase communication in a relationship, but also decrease stress by giving you the chance to talk about your stresses to someone you trust in giving you good advice.

10. Take time for leisure time. It is very important to stay on top of your work, but also take time for yourself or spend time with family or friends.

Top Ten Stress Relievers

Top Ten Stress Relievers

1. Exercise

2. Take a walk

3. Take a fun class

4. Take a few minutes and do a visualization of restful or peaceful

    place/thought

5. Take a yoga class

6. Practice deep breathing techniques

7. Participate in a fun activity with partner or friend

8. Cognitive reframing…..  look at it from a different perspective.

9. Read a book

10. Get away from the moment. Try to predict stressful situations and prepare for them.