25 days to Calmer & Slimmer Holidays

CalmerE Simmer HOLIDAYS 25 b daus while fighting the temptation of office treats, family feasts and cocktail hours. It's easy to gain weight or get a little overwhelmed. Here are some tips With the holidays fast approaching, you're likely juggling work deadlines, travel plans, gift shopping and orchestrating family gatherings-all the to help you avoid both. stand TTALL 2Oup 3 5 MAKE LISTS say CHEESE! Watch. Re-uns 1. According to Amy Cuddy, social psychologist at Harvard Business School, everyone should spend 2 minutes in a 'power pose.' It makes you feel more confident and levels of the with a book 3. When a situation 2. Reading regularly helps improve the mind and memory. It can also be a great way to relax; just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by more than a third. has you feeling stressed or flustered, 5. Keeping a list - and yes, checking it twice - ensures that you know what your tasks are and that you're keeping on track. 4. Research scientists at the even a forced smile can actually decrease your stress and make you happier, accord- ing to the Journal of Psychological Science. University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, found that watching a rerun of a favorite TV show may help restore the drive to get things done in people who have used up their reserves of will stress hormones cortisol decrease. power or self-control. BREA KR TRADITION 8 schedule: worry Sessions Olake naps 6. Who says you have to have turkey for Thanksgiving? You can make anything you want, including reservations at the local Chinese restaurant. They did it in "A Christmas Story" and look how happy they were. 7. Sara Mednick, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego says, "You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping. You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance." 8. Limit your worrying to a specific time period as much as possible. That may help reduce the impact it has on your mental and emotional well-being. 9. 9. "If you want some- thing done right, do it yourself" is so last year. Recruit your guests-perhaps have everyone bring a dish to dinner instead of doing it all yourself. Get your entire family involved and foster an attitude that things don't have to be 16 Befriend ananima GET OUTDOO RS IN NEED DELEGATE 11. According to the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, people who interact with dogs, "actually get a drop in blood pressure 10. Studies show that outdoor 111 walking during the winter may have a 50 percent greater positive effect on mental and physical health than going to the gym. - a true relaxation response" perfect. This will help you focus more on doing what you enjoy. 12 13 но HIDE GET CRAFTrY 13. It does help to stay connected, but according to a British study, compulsive check- YOUR PHONE ing of emails and 12. A recent study from the Journal of Nutrition found that dehydration can cause fatigue and difficulty in memory and alertness, which can make everything seem more overwhelming. texts can also be anxiety-producing. Give yourself a break every once in a while. 14. Setting aside some time for hobbies you enjoy, whether it's knitting, painting, or collecting decoration ideas on Pinterest can reduce stress hormones and increase the release of feel-good endorphins. 17 TAKE 18D A BATH 15. Remember how much fun 16 used to Brew some tea you have jumping on the bed as a kid? Well, relive those days. Even just hopping up and down will release tension and LISTEN TO MUSIC SECOND help you mentally prepare for the next problem thrown in your direction. It's also fun to celebrate 18. Listening to a song can have a real positive effect on various parts of the brain, with studies showing that areas responsible for aspects such as memory and vision, can 'light up' in 16. Drinking warm tea forces you to slow down for a moment. 17. The hot water and relaxing sensation of a bath or shower can help wash away your anxiety and help you feel better. <т your successes with a little dance. response to music. 21 Sa bYes EAT 22 19 Towly CALL to chocolate SOMEONE! 21. A recent study concluded that eating 1.4 oz. of dark chocolate each day for 2 weeks reduces levels of stress hormones in 19. Research from University of Wisconsin- Madison shows that just hearing your mother's voice can lower levels of cortisol and trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone associ- ated with positive feelings. 20. A recent study shows that hugs increased levels of oxytocin, a "bonding" hormone, and reduced blood pressure, which cuts the risk of heart disease. 22. It takes about 20 minutes from the time you start eating for your brain to send out signals of fullness. The North American Association for the Study of Obesity found that people took in fewer calories when they slowed their eating pace. healthy adults. 23. Another study from Cornell University discovered that serving food on a plate or bowl that contrasts with the color of the food being served will send a kind of wake-up call" to the brain, making it more aware of portion size. 24han 25HAVE HealthCentral 23 USE CONTRAST COLOR PLATES FÜN! |in there Design by: C.Robles to DANCE :15 PARTY BAN DRINK YOUR