Do you realize that in a very short period of time, we will have celebrated.....Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years?

I’m not trying to create more stress in your life. Just think about it.... How much emphasis should we place on all the things we do for these holidays? Be realistic. How much can we do in a few days?

One of the first step in fighting “Holiday Stress” is to get organized and figure out what is really important about the holidays.

What can you fit in the next four and a half weeks? Get out your calendar figure a plan of attack. Make a list, and then start thinking of ways to eliminate some of the things we do. How many of these things can you let go or decide not to do.....windows, rugs, basements, garages, attics, porches, cooking, baking, standing in line, fighting traffic, making appetizers, relish trays, vegetable dips, desserts, cookies, candy, shopping, gift buying, wrapping, decorating, hair appointments, nail appointments, spending too much, eating too much, drinking too much, staying up too late? How many did you cross off your list?

Here are a few hints to help you get prepared for the holidays:

• Get up one hour earlier every day. This would mean you would have seven more hours a week to fit in some of these extras things.
• The first two weeks in December do you’re deep cleaning, decorate, bake a few of the favorite cookies and freeze them.
• Make two shopping lists, one list for food etc. one list for your gift buying. Shop at off times, early morning, late night.
• Stay focused. Get things done. Then..... Let it go.
• Next year make yourself a promise to start your cleaning, shopping, and baking in September.

To experience a stress free holiday season, you also need a stress free body mind and spirit. Some of the things that might help fight “Holiday Stress” are vitamins, herbs, herbal teas, herbal baths, and aromatherapy.

One of the first steps to help your body and mind fight stress is to take quality supplements that help the nervous system handle the pressures of daily life (or holiday life). Some of the best stress fighters are: Vitamin C, Wheat germ, B Complex, Korean Ginseng (a natural for calming nerves), Siberian Ginseng (a nerve tonic for mental clarity, useful for anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, tension, and fatigue) and Kelp (commonly used to reduce the effects of stress on the body). Try Dr. Hoover's Essential Adrenal Stress Formula available at Essential2Health Advanced Natural Health Center or select from several high quality stress supplements. These are some general recommendations, but always check with your physician before using supplementation!

Next....If you’re finding yourself stressed and unable to relax stir up a cup of herbal tea. Chamomile tea will relax you during the day and especially at bed-time. Chamomile was used throughout history as a stress antidote to unravel nerves and irritability. Chamomile is thought to harmonize the emotions. To make a cup of wonderfully delicious tea steep chamomile tea or chamomile flowers into a cup of hot (not boiling) water 3 - 5 minutes add honey or stevia.

Another tea that gives a feeling of tranquility is a combination of 1 teaspoon of chamomile and 1 teaspoon of lavender flowers. This blend can be very soothing.

Take time for you. Herbal aromatherapy baths are a divine way to relieve “Holiday Stress. Fill the bath with warm water, add lavender essential oil bath crystals and relax. Lavender is known to affect the chemistry of the brain in ways that help relieve insomnia, stress, depression, nervousness and irritability. Fifteen minutes isn’t too much to ask when you do so much for others. If you want to “do it all” you need to help yourself feel better mentally and physically. Take time for “YOU.”

A few other things that relieve stress are: lavender massage oil (helps relax the body and relieve muscle stiffness), lavender soap (heals and soothes problem skin), and lavender flowers (sprinkle a few lavender flowers between your pillow and pillow case for a restful nights sleep).

Remember....just a few days, that’s how much time we all have. Figure out what is really important and .......Let the rest go!

If things are a little more serious and you find yourself suffering from anxiety or depression, give Dr. Hoover a call to schedule a free consultation to discuss natural ways to help with these conditions!

Call Essential2Health Advanced Health Center at 883-0115 or 866-993-0115.