8 Ways to Slash Holiday Stress

I just booked my holiday travel plans last week. It went down something like this:

• Adrenaline flooded my system, giving me a quick burst of energy.
• My breathing became shallow and rapid, and my heart beat faster, increasing the flow of oxygen to my muscles to enhance my strength and speed.
• My sweat glands opened, leaving my skin slippery and hard for predator to grasp.
• My hair stood on end, making me appear larger and more threatening.
• My pupils dilated, increasing my ability to see in the dark.

Sound familiar? No? What do you mean? This is how our bodies react under stress—and there’s no more stressful time of the year than the holidays.

Our stress response has evolved over eons to help us outrun tigers in the jungle. It didn't matter to my brain that I was tussling with Expedia instead; the fight or flight response remained the same. What makes this time of year the most stressful is that, as much as we may want to, we can’t just flee. Relatives demand to see us ("It’s tradition!"). Friends insist they hear from us ("It’s been a year!"). And kids are counting on us ("Santa's real, right?")

Indeed, we’re stuck with our holiday stress. But, by using the smart tactics I’ve outlined below, we can slash it of its energy-sapping power. What's left will be more time to enjoy what matters: family, friendship, and feast. Each in moderation, of course.

Holiday Stressor #1: Weight Gain

First, a reality check. If you absolutely gorge yourself at Christmas dinner, you're looking at weight gain of . . . 2 pounds. So enjoy the pie. In fact, enjoy two pies!

The bigger problem is the one you face today: All the extra calories sitting around the office. Scarf down five cookies a day, or 1,000 extra calories, and you’ll gain a pound every three days, says Heidi Skolnik, team nutritionist for the New York Giants.

The solution? Snack often, especially before you attend holiday parties. Try nuts, yogurt, or half a turkey sandwich with tomato (or, for that matter, anything from our list of The 50 Best Snack Foods in America). Stand away from the food tables. And socialize hard: When you're talking, it’s harder to stuff your mouth with bacon-wrapped mini hot dogs.

NEXT: Social Schedule & Gifts >>

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