5 Tips to Beating Holiday Stress Naturally

"Well, have no fear and don't get all stressed out as there are some natural things you can do to help relieve the stress and prevent anymore gray hair. It maybe the season for Santa, but you don't have to end up looking like him!" - Ward W. Bond, PhD

by Ward W. Bond, PhD 

​The holidays are among us and yes all the stress that comes with it. The financial stresses, the shopping in stores and online hoping to find that special gift and of course the variety of Christmas plays, pageants and parties to attend. I feel stressed out just writing the last sentence! 

TIP 1: Tackle one task at a time. Multi-tasking is not recommended this time of year, so focus on one thing at a time. Learn to breathe and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't try to be super woman or Superman to do it all yourself. Gather your elves and delegate like Santa and have fun doing it! 

TIP 2: Watch your diet. This time of year we rush and grab for the goodies, the sugary types. The high sugar foods will not give us energy, but actually cause fatigue and in some people lead to depression. Depression is at an all time high during the holidays, so don't feed the beast! If you want a Christmas treat, wait for the party or Christmas Eve and Day. Stick with nuts, fruits, vegetables, high quality protein and grab a smoothie. You'll have more energy and feel better and prevent added pounds that you don't want part of your New Year's resolution. 

TIP 3: Magnesium. Yes, the mineral magnesium can be of great help this time of year. Why? We all need it and it helps us to stay calm and stress free. Magnesium deficiency is between 70-80% in all Americans. During the hoiidays, the blood pressure can increase, the insulin resistance increases (bad food choices), we get all tensed up and we lose sleep. Supplementing with magnesium can help in all these areas naturally. I recommend Natural Vitality's Natural Calm as a daily supplement. Take once or twice a day. They also have an incredible cream available if you get those sore muscles from walking from mall to mall. And Natural Vitality has a Natural Calm Bath remedy you can add to make a soothing bath in the evening to release all your cares away and help improve sleep. 

TIP 4: Stressed and having a lack of focus can go hand in hand. I recommend L-Theanine 200mg up to 4 times a day during the holidays. Theanine is found in Green Tea and will help keep you calm and focused at the same time. It can help normalize blood pressure if elevated blood pressure is caused by stress. It can be a miracle worker in many people. Another remedy is the herb Mucuna. Mucuna helps to improve dopamine levels and can help people reduce stress and stay focused as well. Mucuna should only be used by adults. Herbal Ultra's Mucuna is the best on the market. One to two capsules a day is all that is needed. 

TIP 5: Learn to enjoy the holidays. This is the season of giving and give yourself and your family the best Christmas gift of all...you! This is the time of year we think of others, but don't forget about yourself while trying to get it all done. Christmas comes around once a year, so you have plenty of time to get ready for the next one...and don't let that stress you out either. Merry Christmas!