Avoid holiday season burnout this year by taking the time to care for yourself:

1. Take care of your spine. Chiropractic adjustments correct vertebral subluxations, removing interference in the connections between your brain and the rest of your body. This allows you to function and feel your best and adapt better to emotional, physical, and environmental stress.

2. Maintain healthy habits. It is the time of feeling stressed or overwhelmed when it is most challenging to keep up our healthy habits; yet, it is also the time when we need it the most. Schedule time to keep up with your healthy diet and exercise routine. Regular exercise has been shown to help alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Avoid eating lots of processed foods, especially those which contain added sugar. Offer to bring a healthy dish, vegetable tray, fruit salad or other healthy treat to your holiday gatherings. Eat a small nutritious meal or snack before going out so you’ll be less tempted to overindulge on treats. Want more guidance or meal ideas? Attend our Managing Seasonal Stress with Nutrition workshop on Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30 pm with Culinary Nutrition Educator Dawn Berthelette! Visit our Facebook events page to learn more about our Practical Nutrition for Seasonal Eating series and to RSVP for this event.

3. Breathe. Feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Quickly calm your nervous system by doing abdominal breathing. With your shoulders back, place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Breathe in deeply through your nose and expand into your belly, not your chest. Slowly release your breath. Repeat a few times until you feel calm.

 Have a happy and healthy holiday season!