The Holiday Survival Guide: Stress Relief

I have a tendency to work a lot. And it seems that more things I do, more things I still have to do - read through more files, return more phone calls, respond to more emails, feed the dog, clean the house, pick up Alex, drop off Alex, pick up Alex again… 

Yikes! By the end of the day, I am exhausted, stressed, smile-less, and snap at everyone who dares to stand in my way. 

“Join the crowd,” a friend told me. “Between my work, husband, two kids, and a mother-in-law, I don’t have time to breath!”

Oh, this is not good. Breathing is vital to life! While I do understand how easy it is to get swallowed by a bubble of things-to-do, but I also know that there is a very simple solution to get out of it - walking! Yup, a simple but powerful solution!

You know, like any muscle, our brains get fatigued after a hard day of work, and taking in the sights and sounds of nature is what we need to relive stress. 

To be honest, when I have an endless to do list, I don't really want to go for a walk. I would so rather watch my favorite show, or grab a cup of coffee with a friend, or swing by Anthropology...

But here's the hard truth - we don't even have to enjoy the walk to get the benefit (just like doing what we like is not necessarily good for us!).

Fine! The reason prevails. The walk it is. I promise that between working, cooking, baking, gathering with family and friends, eating, shopping, and more shopping, I will take time to walk around the block, or in the park, or at the beach... 

Breath in... Breath out... Work? What work?...

xo, Zuma A.