Holidays are not only a chance to catch up with friends and family, but also a chance to catch up with yourself.
This is a very busy time of year -- kids are returning school, students are starting university and college, and parents are just trying to keep up with all of it! It's easy for you to become so caught up in your daily routines and workloads that you forget to take care of yourself.
Make sure you take an hour out of your long weekend to read over these tips to relax your mind, body and spirit:
1. Unplug.
This may be the hardest step for some, but try your best to get away from all your electronics. Turn off the TV, leave your smartphone in another room and stop checking Facebook on your tablet. Instead use this weekend to reconnect with loved ones in person. A novel concept I know, but it will prove to be a rewarding one.
2. Get moving.
There is no need to do vigorous exercise this weekend (it is a holiday after all!), but make sure you don't spend all your time on the couch. Take a morning yoga class at your local YMCA centre, ride your bike with your kids, or go on an autumn stroll with your significant other after dinner. Movement in any form is beneficial to both your overall health and your stress levels.
3. Count your blessings. Literally.
Find a pen and paper, and take a few minutes to write down all the positive things going on in your life. Are you healthy? Do you have a supportive family? Do your friends make you laugh? Acknowledging the most important and most positive aspects of your life can help you quit worrying about the smaller, less important situations that often keep your spirits down and your stress levels up.
4. Meditate.
The goal of meditation is to get you to a deeper state of self awareness. This involves finding a quiet area to sit, and focusing first on your breathing, then silencing your mind. Many people find that early morning is the best time to meditate. Five to 15 minutes of meditation can help lower your stress, improve your sleep, and generally calm you.
Check out this video on how to meditate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0rSmxsVHPE
5. Eat the right food and avoid the wrong food.
Certain food can have a soothing affect on your system, whereas other can throw it into chaos. Chow down on a banana this weekend, as they are high in vitamin B6, which helps the brain produce mellowing serotonin. Also sip some chamomile tea if you're having trouble sleeping -- three or four cups a day should do the trick. Make sure you stay away from coffee though, as it can increase nervousness and insomnia.
This is a very busy time of year -- kids are returning school, students are starting university and college, and parents are just trying to keep up with all of it! It's easy for you to become so caught up in your daily routines and workloads that you forget to take care of yourself.
Make sure you take an hour out of your long weekend to read over these tips to relax your mind, body and spirit:
1. Unplug.
This may be the hardest step for some, but try your best to get away from all your electronics. Turn off the TV, leave your smartphone in another room and stop checking Facebook on your tablet. Instead use this weekend to reconnect with loved ones in person. A novel concept I know, but it will prove to be a rewarding one.
2. Get moving.
There is no need to do vigorous exercise this weekend (it is a holiday after all!), but make sure you don't spend all your time on the couch. Take a morning yoga class at your local YMCA centre, ride your bike with your kids, or go on an autumn stroll with your significant other after dinner. Movement in any form is beneficial to both your overall health and your stress levels.
3. Count your blessings. Literally.
Find a pen and paper, and take a few minutes to write down all the positive things going on in your life. Are you healthy? Do you have a supportive family? Do your friends make you laugh? Acknowledging the most important and most positive aspects of your life can help you quit worrying about the smaller, less important situations that often keep your spirits down and your stress levels up.
4. Meditate.
The goal of meditation is to get you to a deeper state of self awareness. This involves finding a quiet area to sit, and focusing first on your breathing, then silencing your mind. Many people find that early morning is the best time to meditate. Five to 15 minutes of meditation can help lower your stress, improve your sleep, and generally calm you.
Check out this video on how to meditate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0rSmxsVHPE
5. Eat the right food and avoid the wrong food.
Certain food can have a soothing affect on your system, whereas other can throw it into chaos. Chow down on a banana this weekend, as they are high in vitamin B6, which helps the brain produce mellowing serotonin. Also sip some chamomile tea if you're having trouble sleeping -- three or four cups a day should do the trick. Make sure you stay away from coffee though, as it can increase nervousness and insomnia.
