Top Holiday Stress-Busting Tips

Holiday Seasoning Stress-Busting

for Couples & Parents

I have a good life.  And at this time of year, with Christmas and the December month, it is perhaps one of the my most special times of the year. I have many fond memories and treasures of special beginnings, events or happenings.  To name a few: I married my beautiful and lovely rock star wife, Jessica, on December 02, 2005; She gave birth to our awesome, busy and sassy third son, Dylan (Dylie) Hendryx Kazmucha, on December 15, 2010; And we have started to create our own family Christmas traditions, such as on Christmas Eve the boys and my wife and I get new PJs to wear, to name one of many.

It is a great time of year, but it is also filled with much stress.  And I hate stress.  But it always seems to creep into my (daily) life, especially around the holiday season.  Though I would like to crawl and hide in my master bedroom's closet (Why bother.....the kids would find me anyways.  I play the best AT-AT Droid so they need me to.....die.  Whatever.), the stress will always be there unless I bust the stress at the root.  It is true you may be able to temporarily hide from stress but you can not runaway from it.

So, as a seasoned and tried and true veteran of stress-fighting, and as a dad and husband, exercise physiologist, life coach and nutritionist, I am indicating the top stress-busting solutions to keep your health and state of mind at bay or perhaps elevated at this special though busy and crazy time of yours.  

This time of the year, you would probably like to be active in the community, healthy, organized and prepared and without chaos, drama, stress and taking out the fat pants.  We must be accountable of our actions and take charge of the daily encounters or day to day things this holiday season to make it a Happy 'One'.  You can have a Happy Holidays! by following ALL or any of these tips.

- FAMILY/SELF -

• Be active and actively involved with family functions or in the community, but take care of yourself too.  You can not "give" your love or time if you are sick and tired.  Stay healthy all season by eating healthy, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and Vit C and Zinc, and having FUN with the family.    

• Be aware of what is most important this holiday season (and ALL the time). Spend time with the family, especially the kids.  They will not remember the house was decorated like a Better n' Homes magazine spread, but they will remember all the family activities and fun-filled times spent together: 
• Building snowmen.
• Having a snowball fight.
• Dancing to "Jingle Bells."
• Singing Christmas Carols, like "Silent Night."
• Watching Christmas movies, such as Elf or The Polar Express.  

• Don't over schedule yourself or your family with activities or events such as church, school or work functions or dinner parties. Pick a few to do.

• Shop online at Amazon or similar sites, and use Groupon and other like-websites to get discounts and freebies, such as 2:1's and free shipping.

- HEALTH -

• Avoid high fat and sugary foods or meals.
• Don't eat more calories since its Christmas. 
• Drink less alcohol and more pure WATER!
• Eat nutritionally, well-balanced snacks -
• Drink a Trim Shake
• Handful of Mixed Nuts
• Most Fruits and Vegetables

• Exercise in the early morning before any of the family wakes up or after bedtime to avoid conflicts or obstacles to working out.
• Exercise regularly- Perform about 150 or more minutes per week.
• If you do not exercise regularly- See a Certified Personal Trainer!
• Get plenty of rest and sleep.  If needed, take a nap during down times.
• Limit computer, smartphone, tablet and TV screen viewing and video game playing time.  Set a daily limit of minutes for each of the said activities.
• Listen to an eBook or read a new book.  Reading a book calms our senses and temporarily take us out of the busy, crazy, normal world and in ours.

• Take a relaxing, quiet, warm bath (with bubbles and candles) in the morning or at nighttime.  Try Aromatherapy Essential Oils for serenity!

• Chamomile or Eucalyptus
• Lavender, Serenity Blend or Ylang Ylang

• Take time to do family activities- laughing and playing, and re-connect and cuddle up with the spouse.  Outside of Eating Healthy and Exercise, Laughter and Love are some of the best medicines naturally in the world.

- MOTIVATION -

• Embrace your imperfection. It's one of the nicest things you can do for your kids and your mate. Being imperfect takes the pressure off of you and off of them.

• Refresh or start "new" holiday traditions that's for everyone and are less stressful and simple and can be treasured.
• Have everyone climb into bed or gather around the Christmas tree to read a Christmas or Holiday story.
• Have the kids hand-make decorations or gifts.
• Have the kids pick some books, clothes and/or toys to give to a charity of choice or the homeless shelter in town.  

• See your stressors and overcome it. List your stressors and deal with the ones you can take care of.  You can not control the cost of a STAR WARS Lego Set, but you can get a snow shovel to use, respectively. 

• When an "I should" wanders in your mind, you don't have to do it.

• 2013.  It is what it was.  Start 2014 with no concerns, doubts or regrets. Stay within a budget for Christmas and the holiday and live as close to a normal schedule as possible. You don't want huge bills or extra body#?

The holiday seasons each have their own challenges and pressures.  It's a time for fun.  A time for love.  Sharing and togetherness.  Shoot, it's a time for making a list and checking it twice and showing everyone how good you are, especially Santa.  Somehow my sons always get me Dark Chocolate Coal. -That's! Fine! With! Me!-  But all the stress that creeps in can be beat or managed and when done so you will surely enjoy all the newly created memorable moments and treasures.  "Don't be 'Scrooge'!  Just be You!"