5 Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress in Winnebago IL

5 Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress in Winnebago IL.

From dealing with extended family members to the pressure of making everything go perfectly, it's not easy to remain relaxed this time of year. Holiday stress not only impacts you mentally and emotionally, but it can cause you physical pain. Not to mention, high stress levels make you more susceptible to illness during the cold and flu season. That's why managing your stress is as important as ever to keep the holiday cheer going.

Continue reading to learn how to identify stress and five ways to reduce its impact year-round.

How to Know if You're Dealing with Holiday Stress in Winnebago IL

It's easy to power through the signs of stress without even recognizing it.

• Tension headaches
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Body aches, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back
• Trouble sleeping
• Increased irritability
• Poor diet choices and cravings

If you've noticed the signs creeping up on you or getting worse, then it's time to take some steps toward relaxation.

5 Ways to Stay Relaxed This Season

1. Plan Ahead: Your to-do list is probably a mile long right now, but you can't do it all yourself. Designating time for shopping, cooking, and decorating can make your to-do list feel more focused and manageable. If you still can't fit everything in, choose the most important (and most joyful) items on your list and delegate or decline the rest.

2. Set a Budget: Expensive wish lists and extensive gift lists can put a strain on your bank account, so much so that money is the main holiday stressor for many people. Before you start shopping, set your holiday budget for gifts, décor, and the menu. You can keep an eye on your spending by pulling out cash or using a preloaded card.

3. Maintain Your Healthy Habits: It's no secret that this is the most indulgent time of year. So, it's easy to completely trade in your usual balanced diet and exercise routine for a season-long celebration. However, your body and mind will benefit more by practicing moderation.

When you're not actively celebrating, try to stick to your regular regimen. Exercise is also a natural stress reliever, and you don't have to do much to reap the benefits. Also, sunlight and nature have been shown to improve your mood and ease the effects of stress on your nervous system.

4. Get Enough Sleep: Have you ever noticed that you're crankier and more irritable after a late night? That's because sleep is your body's time to reset and stabilize your mood and hormone levels. When you wake up, you're refreshed and better equipped to handle the minor stressors throughout the day. Aim for 7 to 8 hours each night.

If you find it hard to fall asleep, try reducing the temperature, putting your phone away an hour before bed, and keeping your room dark. We also offer a wide range of supplements that can help you get a good night's sleep!

5. Keep Up with Your Chiropractic Care Appointments: Chiropractic care and massage therapy are tools that can instantly relieve stress in the body. Take advantage of our chair massages to unwind and relax and to reduce pain and increased anxiety.

As we mentioned earlier, stress can greatly impact your body, causing inflammation, pain, and muscle tension. Not only do chiropractic adjustments relieve pressure on all your body's systems, but they also release muscle tension to put your body in a more relaxed state. The longer you spend away from your chiropractic care regimen, the more your stress grows. We understand life gets busy, but now is not the time to skip adjustments. Need to get back on track? No time like the present to come get adjusted! If it's been a while or you'd like to start chiropractic care for the first time, contact us to set up a returning or new patient visit!