3 Easy Stress Busting Tips

Thanksgiving is the official kickoff of the holiday season. It seems like we no sooner get dinner cleaned up when the Christmas shopping starts. For many of us, this is an extremely stressful time as we try to fit the holidays into an already tight schedule. So, let’s tackle this early so we can make the most of the holidays and really enjoy them. Here are 3 really easy stress relieving tips that can really make a difference:

Exercise
One of the simplest and easiest ways to blow off steam and gain a new perspective is to take a walk when you feel stressed. Being outside removes you from the stressful situation and allows an opportunity to reflect. It also releases endorphins which always makes us feel better.

Breathing
If you can’t leave the situation then use your breathe to help manage your stress. Getting more oxygen into your body and releasing physical tension are two ways that breathing exercises can benefit you. They are free, easy to do and can be done anywhere or anytime. Here is an easy breathing exercise that works wonders:

• Sit or stand in a relaxed position.

• Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head.

• Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight in your head as it leaves your lungs. Repeat several times. That’s it! Do this a few times to release tension and you will feel good as new.

Mental Break
If you can steal away a few minutes of peace, visualizations are a wonderful way to restore peace of mind. They're easy to do, and can relax you physically as well as mentally. Think about that last great vacation at the beach or mountains, message, hot tub soak or whatever put you into a relaxing mood. Go there mentally again to relive that wonderful feeling.

So get ready for the holidays with these easy stress buster tips. Use all three as needed to make a difference in your outlook. How do you relive stress? Share your stress buster tips, the more the merrier!