The turkey cools its heels in the freezer. The Christmas lights sit ready to be hung. You’ve got a whole day set aside for buying the most perfect fir tree or the most festive candles for this year’s Menorah.
Yep, you’re prepared for everything... everything except the stress that typically accompanies the hectic holiday season. Well, ready or not, the major holidays are once again upon us. Consider Dr. Susan Lark -- author of The Chemistry Of Success (Bay Books) and nine other books focusing on women’s health -- our early holiday gift to you. The veteran caregiver knows the problems that fluster and frazzle most females.
Dr. Lark has worked with thousands of patients in her 27 years of family practice, clinical nutrition and preventive medicine so she is well aware of what it takes to succeed in every aspect of life -- from health to careers to relationships. In fact, that’s what The Chemistry Of Success is about: restoring ealth and well-being so that an individual is a peak performer in all areas of life.
She says that during the holidays it's crucial that women focus on keeping their physical and mental health in check. Unfortunately, we are often hung up on Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas and New Year’s. Somewhere amidst the hustle and bustle, we forget to look out for No. 1.
In many cases, even before the holiday season is underway, the devoted mother, the dedicated wife and the busy professional find themselves running on empty.
"Lots of activities come up around the holidays: entertaining, putting together dinners for family and friends, giving parties and get-togethers at work, sending cards, giving gifts, wrapping gifts, flu season for the children..." Dr. Lark tells eDiets in this exclusive interview.
"Women are busier than ever and have little time to take care of themselves. By the end of the holidays, women are literally exhausted from everything they’ve been doing... even if they are fun and festive things."
She says setting aside some quality "me" time is just what the doctor ordered. But Dr. Lark isn’t talking about getting your hair and nails done or even a day spent at the spa. While those are nice ideas, they aren’t practical for the woman who is strapped for time and cash. Surprisingly, it takes little cost or effort to soothe frayed nerves around the holiday season. Reenergizing can be as simple as practicing the proper meditation techniques. Dr. Lark has just what you need to de-stress this holiday season. If you’re running low on energy and need a quick pick-me-up, simply follow her six secrets to a stress-free holiday.
"They will improve your energy, stamina, endurance and vitality," she says. "By promoting healthier physiology and body chemistry, you’ll feel much more relaxed and glide through the holidays doing all the multi-tasking you want. If you are taking care of yourself, you have the energy and vitality to do that."
1. Take 10 to 15 minutes to focus on breathing. Oftentimes when we are engaged in tasks, whether it is working at our desks or cleaning the house, we stop doing any deep breathing. Our energy level depends on oxygenation (i.e. getting plenty of oxygen to the body). The more we take in, the more energy is created within the body. Take deep breaths in expanding the lungs and abdomen. When you’re breathing out, visualize the lungs and abdomen collapsing. Many of Dr. Lark’s patients report feeling refreshed after a session of deep breathing. The brain works better. Your thinking is clearer and you have more energy.
2. Take a break from deskwork, bookkeeping or whatever you're doing to get up and move around. Just the act of stretching and moving around and relaxing your muscles will help create a sense of being refreshed. Many women working at computers will lock their muscles and sit still without moving for hours at a time. They’re not even aware that they haven’t moved. Moving promotes better circulation and oxygenation so that all parts of the body have more energy.
3. Close the door at the office or go into a quiet part of the house or yard for some simple meditation. Throughout the holidays, most of us end up multi-tasking. Whether it’s a meadow or a sandy beach, visualize yourself in your favorite vacation spot. Picture the blue sky or the waves rolling in. Get back in touch with the relaxed feelings you’ve had in the past when you were in those places. Go on vacation for 5, 10 or 15 minutes. When you open your eyes and reattach to normal day-to-day life, you get back to work feeling refreshed. It’s almost as good as the real thing.
4. Another type of meditation is focusing on a small object whether it’s a pretty flower or a beautiful piece of jewelry or a breathtaking picture in your office or house. Focus on the object and say "peace" as you breathe in and "calm" as you breathe out. These simple types of meditation and visualization help people restore themselves.
5. Exercise, exercise, exercise. No matter how busy you get, make the time for physical activity. For some women, exercising is the only thing that melts away the stress. Even if you walk for a half-hour instead of your usual exercise regimen, it’s going to be helpful from the standpoint of reducing stress and promoting balance.
6. Do some hydrotherapy. In other words, settle into a warm bath and add some aromatherapy oils such as lavender! The warm water relaxes your muscles and the lavender oil relaxes you. A warm bath with the right oil will help you with more restful sleep.