Happiness is a strong indicator of overall well being. Holiday traditions like excessive shopping and overeating can stress the body emotionally as well as physically. Feelings of sadness, loneliness, or even depression can develop as a result. Let’s look at these issues and how you can protect yourself from the holiday blues this season.
The holiday season is a time for joy, love, and togetherness. Research continues to demonstrate that a positive, happy mindset contributes to a healthy lifestyle — not just the other way around. Positivity actually helps the body decrease levels of inflammation.
Tips for Wellbeing during the Holidays
Below are four practical tips to help you stay mentally tough throughout the Christmas season.
- Pay cash.
Financial burdens are the leading source of emotional stress for many North Americans. When holiday shopping, plan a careful yet realistic budget and stick to it. Cut out as many little costs as possible (skipping your daily Starbucks can save you $1,000 a year!). When buying gifts, take out all the cash you need prior to shopping. If you’re shopping online, print out all receipts and keep them in an easy-to-access location. Whenever possible, pay any new credit card charges the same day to prevent the accumulation of interest — credit card debt adds up quickly. Keep your mind clear, healthy, and stress-free by knowing exactly how much you paid for an item and when it was paid off.
- Laugh often.
Did you know that laughter actually has physiological benefits? A study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine showed that laughing causes blood vessels to naturally dilate, which improves blood flow. This allows your veins and arteries to function at full capacity. Gather with loved ones or watch a funny holiday movie to reap the healthy benefits of laughter.
- Keep sweating.
If you have an exercise routine, stick to it. If you don’t, then start one today. Exercising causes the brain to release endorphins that make you feel better. High-intensity, short-duration surge training can elicit this feel-good effect without taking a chunk of time away from your day. Surge training also offers the benefit of the afterburn effect, in which the body continues to burn calories for up to 48 hours after exercise is completed. These two effects combine to help you stay positive during the holidays, while also fighting seasonal weight gain.
- Get adjusted.
If one of your vertebrae is pinching or otherwise damaging your spinal cord — especially in your neck — you can experience symptoms of illness or constant aching. Prolonged aches, pains, and sickness can cause significant mental stress and wear you down physically. Specific spinal correction can help repair this damage and restore the natural curvature of your spine. Once your spinal health is restored, your body and mind can resume operating to their fullest potential.
What You Can Do
Take simple steps to stay out of debt, limit the effects of stress, and manage your weight. To learn more, contact your nearest MaxLiving doctor today.
