Stress has become an inherent part of our lives. Planning family time together, finishing work related deliverables, shopping for friends and family – all these can add stress. Stress during the holiday season can not only mar the spirit but also affect your health. Here are a few tips to deal with holiday stress.
1. Proper planning can help avoid undue stress. This helps you to relax during the holiday and spend it according to your plan, instead of running around at the last minute. Consider shopping online for everything – hotels, flights, gifts, and great deals!
2. Relax- it is a holiday. Yes, things may not always fall in place. Simply relax and enjoy the moment with your friends and family. Try not to take on too many things, as this will leave you feeling tired and irritable.
3. Delegate work – Whether you are going on a vacation with your family or relaxing at home, mark out duties for every member. We often take on too much work during the holidays and feel stressed and unhappy. Dividing the work would mean each member gets a fair share of work and relaxation.
4. Stick to your routine – When stressed, we tend to slip on our gym schedules and eating habits. Holiday time certainly offers multiple reasons to forget a healthy diet or our fitness routine. While you can indulge in a sip of wine here or a chocolate dessert there, sticking to your health routine is the best way to bring down your stress factor.
Stress during holidays or otherwise can affect your health by causing hypertension, diabetes and even dental problems. Some common stress induced dental problems are –
• Canker sores are brought on by stress and are painful.
• Bruxism is caused due to teeth grinding that occurs when we are stressed and can lead to tooth damage.
• Viral infections like Lichen planus occurs from stress and can cause sores and ulcers in the mouth areas.
• Stress affects our immune system negatively and this can leave us vulnerable to dental problems.
Hope these tips help you plan your holidays more efficiently, and with less stress. Put your best foot, and your smile, forward as you start the countdown to a great time this December.