While this is the season to be joyful and happy, unfortunately, the holidays can create just the opposite emotion. Trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, spending more than your budget allows, crowds, traffic, waiting in lines and making all the special traditional foods and baked goods are all done in the effort to create happy holiday memories. Expectations are high, time is short and when we can’t accomplish it all, without realizing it, we begin building up our STRESS LEVEL!!!!!
This is the perfect time to take stock and recognize what stress does to our bodies, how it feels and how we can respond to eliminate the toxic damage it produces. Chronic stress releases stress hormones that suppress the immune system, kill off brain cells and promote obesity.
One Sign:
When you find your heart racing and pounding in your chest you know you are flirting with one of the first signs of stress.
First Response:
The time between heartbeats fluctuates and is called heart rate variability or HRV. Researchers have found that HRV corresponds with the breath. The time between heartbeats gets longer when we exhale which slows the racing heart. By lengthening the out-breath you are taking one step toward becoming stress resilient.
Your Assignment:
If you find yourself getting caught up in the stress of the holiday season, you know it’s time to stop and take a deep breath, lengthening the exhalation! Let me know how that works for you. In the meantime, click on this link https://vimeo.com/82032003 to see our special holiday greeting; to you from Sit and Be Fit!
Wishing you the blessings of this season,
Mary Ann Wilson
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