The holiday season is approaching rapidly. This season, as fun as it can be, is undoubtedly becoming ever more stressful. Social media platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook are adding to the already present pressure to ensure the “perfect” holiday.
There are so many “perfect” gifts, decorations, crafts, and recipes that tempt us into going above and beyond for our loved ones. While Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness cannot help you shop, decorate, craft, or prepare your perfect menu, we can help relieve some of the stress that comes with the “most wonderful time of the year”.
Holiday Stress Statistics
Healthline.com performed a survey a few years ago just before the 2015 holiday season and we don’t think anyone would be surprised by the results. 62% of people reported “somewhat” to “very” stressed levels. The leading stressor is money at 47%.
Holiday Stress Symptoms
Stress symptoms during the holidays are similar to stress at any other time of year. They can include the following:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Sadness
- Inability to sleep
- Irritability
- Poor diet
Tips for Managing Holiday Stress
A blog called, NYMetroParents, offers a comprehensive list of tips to help people cope with the stresses of the season. We outlined some of these points below:
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Exercise and Take Breaks.
15 minutes may be just what you need to refresh yourself. Meditation or some deep breathing techniques can help. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Daily sunlight can dramatically improve your mood.
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Prioritize Your Time & Plan.
It’s crucial to understand that you may not be able to do everything you want, so pick and choose the things that you can accomplish and enjoy. Also, it’s a good idea to schedule specific days for shopping, cooking and visiting. Planning your menu as well.
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Shop Without Anxiety.
Remember that it’s the thought that counts. Create and stick to a shopping budget, so the holiday bills don’t linger after the tinsel is gone.
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Ask for Help.
Getting everyone involved in the holiday preparations may alleviate the stress of doing it all on your own.
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Put it All in Perspective.
What does the holiday mean to you and your family? The typical answer to this question is time together, religious observance, reflection on your life, and future goals. Let these keep things in perspective.
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Seek Professional Help if Necessary.
Anxiety and depression peak during the holiday season. From your primary care physician, mental health professional, or chiropractor, support is available.
Chiropractic Care For Holiday Stress
It may be surprising to learn just how much chiropractic services can help relieve stress felt during the holiday season. Chiropractors have a variety of things they can do to help you feel better. An article posted on U.S. News and World Report details surprising chiropractic services. Here are a 5 points from the list that specifically target stress-related symptoms:
- Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate stress on your system.
- They can release muscle tension, which can cause the spinal column to become misaligned, helping the body return to a more relaxed state.
- Spinal nerve irritation and improved blood circulation can be reduced with chiropractic adjustments.
- Chiropractors provide nutritional advice as well. They often recommend a change in diet or the addition of vitamins and nutritional supplements, such as B complex vitamins, to help the body cope with stress.
- Offer advice on posture, ergonomics, environmental changes, exercises, and relaxation techniques.
The Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness Difference
Dr. Goldman takes pride in offering the services needed to not just get through the holidays but actually to be able to enjoy them. Contact us today.