Don’t Stress the Holidays
By Michelle Lane

In an effort to remain stress free this holiday season, we must nurture ourselves through the hustle and bustle of this busy time.  Most people will push themselves to the point of exhaustion, skipping meals or eating fast food, with no time for exercise or relaxation.

While we may not be able to change the many multi tasks that need to be done, there are things we can do to rejuvenate ourselves, which will keep our bodies and minds feeling good and free of stress.  As you may be short on time, here are a few suggestions:

Get a 30 minute stress relief massage over your lunch hour. Toxins tend to build up in the body when under duress.  Breaking up and flushing out these toxins is necessary for stress relief.

Have lunch while getting a pedicure or reflexology treatment.

Have a 20 minute session of Oxygen Therapy which is great for energizing the body and mind. It also helps to relieve a hangover after those company Christmas parties!

Stress shows on your face first, so get a rejuvenating facial or resurfacing peel over lunch to give you that refreshed look.

Dr. Robert Gould of Ajna Health Spa also suggests getting botox for facial stress lines and restylane to turn that frown upside down. (just in time for those holiday pictures).

Nutrition is extremely important, so if you can’t find time to eat (or eat well) at least have a protein drink with supplements.

Exercise creates the endorphins that make us happy. Yoga is a great cardiovascular workout that also calms your mind. Sally Najou, Yoga Instructor at Ajna Health Spa suggests “let an evening yoga class be your after work martini”.

Before retiring for the evening, take a relaxing bath (preferably with candles) have this alone time for some quiet meditation-let your mind be calm.

In the morning before work, take 5 minutes before showering to do a dry skin brushing with a loofah to increase circulation and invigorate you for the day to come.

Sharing the love the season brings should be enjoyed and shared, free of stress, or it loses the feeling of what it is meant to bring to the heart.

Happy holidays and best wishes for a year of peace, health joy and abundance…