
There are all kinds of stress and anxieties during the holidays. Strained relationships, unrealistic expectations, financial difficulties — the list can go on.
Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. But multiple challenges can push you beyond your ability to cope, especially during the holidays.
Dr. Beth Rush, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist, says that when you are stressed, it becomes that much more important to take care of yourself. Sleep, eat well, make sure you’re exercising. Look for signs of stress in your life.
"I think self-care is important year-round. If you’re feeling frustrated, short on time, impatient, you have to go back to the basics of: 'Have I done anything for myself today? Should I take a minute? Do I have to be the one who does it all?,'" says Dr. Rush. “We tend to think of self-care as always going out and doing something like getting our nails done or going to the gym, but sometimes self-care is about just pausing. I think that’s something we recognize is becoming more important: learning how to slow down.”
Dr. Rush says self-care can be as simple as being still at your desk, breathing, shutting your eyes, and closing out all the other things you’re thinking about and not responding.
Watch Dr. Rush talks about slowing down for self-care during the holidays.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Rush are in the downloads at the end of the post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network."
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