ASKDOCTORANCA

Rushing! Heart is racing! Frantic – frustration at traffic
jams. Now we know it’s holiday time! Time to take a
breather – even in the midst of stress, over commitment,
plus money, time and family pressures. There are ways to
stop the pounding heart and anxiety and to cope in a
healthier fashion.
 
1) Right now take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold
for a few seconds, then breathe out slowly. Do it a few more
times. If you do some deep breathing a few times a day, this
small act can actually bring down blood pressure and calm
anxious feelings.
 
2) Get hold of your day and become more organized. Make a
list the night before of all the things you need to do the
next day. Decide when you can do those chores and mark it in
your calendar. Don’t drive from one end of the city to the
other the same afternoon or evening. Try to schedule stops
around the same areas if possible.
 
3) Walk slower, even if you’re in a rush. When you hurry,
there’s more chances of slips, falls, accidents – which
will really put a dent into your holiday fun. Decide you are
not going to act frazzled, look frazzled or talk in a
frazzled manner.
 
4) When shopping, bring a water bottle with you to keep
hydrated. Keep healthy snacks in your bag, in your car –
almonds and an apple, cashews and some dried cranberries, a
healthful power bar. Don’t skip meals.
5) Don’t overdress in shopping malls; getting overheated
will make you feel exhausted. Make sure you’re wearing
comfortable shoes or boots. Aching feet will exasperate
stress levels. Try not to do all your shopping in one
evening – spread out shopping over a few visits.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah or best wishes for other
enjoyable holiday celebrations. Especially spend time with
those whom you love and make you feel happy.