Focus on what’s important
“When I find myself getting stressed at Christmas I remind myself of what Christmas is actually about and what’s important: celebrating and spending time with loved ones. When you’re feeling grateful about the people you have in your life, everything is put back into perspective.”
Shop online
“There’s nothing worse for me than frantically running to the shopping centre a few days before Christmas, then driving around for half an hour looking for parking, and being among thousands of other stressed shoppers running around,” says Monika. “Shopping online solves all these problems. You can select and purchase presents in the comfort of your own home, and I find that there are better sales online as well.”
Reduce your stress
Monika has three go-to stress relieving techniques that help her through trying times.
“Taking a few deep breaths is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body because it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. Breathe in through your nose, letting air fill your belly, and slowly breathe out through your nose. Repeat this 5-10 times whenever you feel yourself getting stressed.”
“Avoid sugar! When we’re stressed we tend to crave sugar due to the quick release of serotonin, the ‘good mood’ brain chemical, that sugar elicits. However, the problem is that the body releases more cortisol when you’re stressed, and eating sugary foods causes the body to release even more cortisol to balance your blood sugar levels. This elevated cortisol coupled with fluctuating blood sugar levels can really exacerbate feelings of stress.”
“[Vitamin] Supplementation is so important to help reduce your stress, fatigue and elevate your mood.”
Improve your energy
“One of the most effective things to improve energy levels is to get moving. Physical activity gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen around the body. Exercise also releases endorphins which really boosts your mood and energy levels. A brisk walk is a great start and will have you feeling energised and ready to take on the day.”
“I’m a true believer in taking supplements for optimum health and vitality. For boosting energy, I highly recommend a Vitamin B complex. I’ve found it to be really powerful in helping maintain my energy and stamina throughout the day, and taking it daily- especially when energy levels take a little slump- has been a game changer for me.”
“Try cryotherapy. If you want a short-cut to boosting your energy levels, then three minutes in a cryotherapy chamber (where the temperature gets to -120 degrees!) is the way to go. I visit Koa Recovery in Sydney at least once a week for a cryotherapy session and I leave feeling super energised, among other great benefits like boosted metabolism and circulation, sharpened focus, as well as improved mood and sleep.”
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