Don’t worry, be happy!
3rd January, in Ask the expert
Keep exercising
often your good intentions about staying fit go out the window in December because your diary is so full it’s hard to find time to exercise. But it’s important to keep moving, as staying active is a great way of dealing with stress. It produces brain chemicals called endorphins which relieve stress, and also relaxes tensed muscles. It’s also a great way of distracting you from whatever is making you stressed.
Prioritise
Is it the end of the world if you buy festive food like cake and pudding, rather than making your own? Do you have to go to every function you’re invited to? Sit down and work out what’s important and what isn’t. Remember to schedule in some time for yourself, even if it’s just setting aside half an hour a day for a relaxing soak in the bath.
Watch your diet
With new year festivities still in full swing, this is the worst time of year for trying to eat healthily – it’s easy to be tempted by all the treats on offer. But not only are fatty and sugary foods bad for your waistline, they can also take a toll your general well-being.
Too many refined carbohydrates (like cake and biscuits) can send your blood sugar skyrocketing, and when it plummets down again you’re likely to feel tired, sluggish and grumpy. Plus your
body will get into the vicious cycle of craving more of the same.
Try to eat fresh, unprocessed foods like fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, lean meat and nuts and seeds.
Sleep
This is easier said than done if you’re trying to cram lots of things into your day, and end up staying up late to get everything done. Set yourself a curfew and stick to it. Sleep can also be disrupted if there’s so much on your mind you can’t switch off when you do go to bed. Try writing a list of what you need to do the following day so it won’t play on your mind. Also, make sure your room is dark, quiet and warm but not too hot, and try to wind down in the two hours before bedtime – don’t do activities that are physically strenuous or leave you mentally overstimulated. A warm
milky drink can also help you sleep.
Learn to relax
Some people find yoga or tai chi can help keep them calm when life gets stressful. Learning meditation can also be useful in calming the mind. Recognising the early signs of stress is important – if you realise you’re getting wound up, you can take steps to ease it, such as practising deep breathing, before it becomes too overwhelming
