Holiday Guide: A Few Ways to Deal with Stress During the Holidays

The holidays can be a time of great joy and fun memories, but they also bring stress with growing to-do lists and money concerns weighing us down.

During this frenzied time, don’t forget to take time for yourself, whether that is a few minutes curled up on the couch with a book or a quick massage.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota lists several keys to managing stress:

• Recognizing Stress. Learn to recognize when you are under stress and what triggers it. Before you can change your response to stress, you need to recognize what your stressors are and how they affect you.
• Responding Better to Stress. Once you know what your stressors are, you can change how you respond to those situations. If a growing to-do list has you down, focus on the most critical and don’t move on until that one is done.
• Living a Healthy Life. If you are healthy, you are better able to handle stress. Get enough sleep, eat right, exercise. Take time for yourself. If you don’t, stress is harder to combat. Check out deals at your local exercise facility. Many have special offers during December.

* Edge Martial Arts Fitness Center

* St. Croix Valley Recreation Center

* Studio One Yoga and Massage

* River Valley Athletic Club

* Curves

* Anytime Fitness

* Pure Yoga

* Snap Fitness

• Relaxing to Slow Down. Practice relaxation techniques daily and when you are stressed. When you are facing a stressor, pause for a moment. Then take a deep breath and slowly breathe out as you count to 10, BCBS recommends. This will help clear your mind so you can respond better.

A Few Ways to Unwind This Holiday Season

Read a Good Book
Check out a local bookstore or Stillwater Public Library for the newest bestsellers or tried-and-true classics. Nothing beats cozying up in front of the fireplace with a book.

Schedule Dinner Out
Turn off the stove and take a night away from the kitchen. Have fun and take time to unwind as a family. Try one of these local eateries.

Maid to Order
There’s never time to unwind and recharge when the house is a mess. Don’t feel guilty about getting help with holiday cleaning. Take that time to do something you enjoy. Many local companies offer one-time house-cleaning services based on hourly fees. Check with friends or neighbors for suggestions.

Take a Spa Day — or Hour
No cell phone, no computer, just relaxation.

The Christmas holidays come but once a year. Don’t become a Scrooge. Remember to take time for yourself.