Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

The stress levels during the holiday season typically wreck  havoc with our immune system and more people get sick around the holidays than other times of the year.

Psychologists in the field of “psychoneuroimmunology” have shown that state of mind affects one’s state of health. If you are stressed out, lonely or depressed, don’t be surprised if you come down with something.

Here are a few tips on how to de-stress and stay healthy and happy during the holidays and throughout the year.

1. The most important thing you need to do is “Put Your Oxygen Mask on Before You Help Others”.Most of us are programmed to help everyone else, and then we end up getting sick, because we haven’t taken care of ourselves. Make a commitment today to do the following, so that you are taking care of yourself.
   • Take 10 minutes “Now” and write down every repetitive task that you do.
   • Next to each item indicate how often you do them (Daily, Weekly, etc.)
   • Next to that write down how long each task takes.
   • Review the list while asking yourself these questions.
     • Why do I do this task the way I currently do it? Is this something that I was taught to do? Can it be done easier?
       • This reminds me of the story of the woman who finally questioned why her mother cut off the ends of a roast (or ham), before putting it in the pan to cook. Her mother didn’t know, so she asked her mother and the answer was, that she didn’t have a large enough pan. So, are you doing this out of habit, because that is how it was always done, or because you really need to do it that often?
       • Here’s another example of how things can be done differently. I used to put the sheets and towels in the laundry to be done when I had time. That meant that when I did wash them, they had to be folded and put away. I changed it up so that I take the towels off the rack and wash them immediately, by only leaving a hand towel in each place. This way, I just put the towels back on the rack and save time.
       • I do the same thing with bed linens, that way I don’t have to fold them, I just put the clean sheets back on the bed.
       • Ask yourself, are there things I do that can be done simpler to save me time?
     • Do I need to do this as often as I do? Can it be done less frequently?
       • I’m reminded here about a story in a book I read years about about simplifying your life. The writer was a mother with a college student that was away for the school year. When he returned home, she discovered that he had never washed his sheets the entire school year. It caused her to realized that he had remained healthy and happy without washing the sheets weekly, and so she questioned whether she really needed to wash the sheets as often as she does.
     • Do I have to do this task or can someone else do? Can I let go and allow another person to do this task their way?
       • I’m reminded here of an argument I had with my former husband shortly after we got married. Initially, we were going to alternate who did the laundry. That worked until I saw him throwing all of the clothes into the washer without sorting them. So, based on the fact that I didn’t want clothes ruined we came up with a different agreement. He washed the towels and sheets and I washed the clothes. It worked great, because it took that work off of my list of things to do.
2. Holiday Shopping can be very stressful in several ways. Consider this…
   • Are you purchasing the gift because you want to and love giving or are you doing it our of obligation? If you are giving out of obligation, because that is what we always do, have a conversation with the gift recipient and see if you can both agree not to exchange gifts, you’ll both have less stress.
     • Plan to spend quality time with those you love, rather than running around shopping for things that they don’t really need.
   • Does the gift fit in your budget or are you going to be paying for it for the next 6 months or longer? If you have to put it on a credit card that can’t be paid of in 30 days, you probably shouldn’t be buying it. Reconsider what you are purchasing and how much you are spending.
   • Can you shop online and save? This takes some planning in order to be sure that the gifts arrive on time, but it can reduce a lot of stress. Look for shops that have “Free Shipping”.
   • Can you consolidate your shopping trips by planning ahead?
   • Can you plan your shopping trip during the middle of the day when there are less people in the stores? Or can you do a little at a time on your lunch breaks, by bringing your lunch, so you have time to shop during the lunch break?
   • Give gift cards and allow the person to select what they want.
3. Holiday Meal Preparations Consider this…
   • Buy ahead and prepare things ahead that can be frozen.
   • Ask guests to bring a dish-to-pass
   • Ask your spouse or children to get involved and help with each part of the meal preparation. Tell them that you want to spend quality time with them and in order to make it easier on you, you would appreciate their help. Be accepting of the way they do things and don’t criticize. Thank them, so that they want to help again. Even if they can’t help with the cooking, can they help with the clean-up? Can the kids get the ingredients out for you as you need them, get mixing bowls, pots, pans, etc., out when you need them.
4. Do the things you love…
   • According to a study by Dr. Dean Shrock, author or Doctor’s Orders: Go Fishing” and “Why Love Heals”,  when a person feels heard, loved and cared for and when they are doing what they love, they live longer and healthier.
   • List the top 10 things you love to do?
   • Pick one each day from the list and make sure you do it for yourself. If you love taking a long hot bath at the end of the day, light some candles, let the family members know that they are not to disturb you and soak for however long you want to.
5. Meditate…
   • According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing with it inner peace.
   • Make this a priority, even if you only do it for 5 minutes twice per day.
   • Use the Chakra Opening and Balancing symbol during your meditation to take your meditation deeper. Register for my newsletter to receive the symbol in the upper right side of this page.
6. Repeat a Positive Mantra…
   • Every time you feel stressed or overwhelmed, take a moment to repeat a mantra. Here are some examples
     • Peace, Love, Harmony, Bliss
     • Everyday in every way I am calmer and calmer
     • Everyday in every way my life flows more and more easily
     • Everyday in every way I am healthier and healthier
7. Boost your immune system…
   • Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables at as many of your meals as possible
   • Take a high quality multi-vitamin
   • Take additional vitamin C and Zinc
   • Register below for your Free Immune Builder Sampler Kit.
8. Check your beliefs about staying healthy…
   • Do you have a belief that you always get sick during the holidays?
   • Do you belief that you always get sick when the kids bring those germs home?
   • Do you belief that you always get sick after shopping at the mall, because there are so many bugs in the air?
9. Change your beliefs about staying healthy with these affirmations by making them your mantra…
   • Everyday in  every way I am healthier and healthier
   • Everyday in every way I take time for my self to relax and recharge
   • I easily find time to relax and recharge every day.
   • I easily get help with the household chores.
   • I am relaxed and happy.
   • I have all the time I need to do the things I love.
   • I am totally and completely healthy.

Remember by keeping yourself healthy, you’ll be happier and you’ll have a much more fun filled holiday. Also, by changing your mind set about staying healthy, your children will be healthier as well. Teach them to believe and know that they are always healthy.

Build Your Immune System with this Free Kit

In the video below I talk with Steve and Lynda of Conscious Evolution Media about “The Importance of Self-Love for Creating Lasting Health and Vitality”. Watch below and get some further insights for staying healthy during the holiday season and all year long.