Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Stresses of the Holidays?

Holidays are wonderful and joyful but their downside is they are stressful. When smokers or former smokers are stressed they often turn to smoking to reduce the stress. What are other healthier ways to handle the stress of the busy holiday season.

Build a snowman with your children
Go Sledding or ice skating
Check out an exercise video from the library and when you want a cigarette exercise instead
Get some toothpicks or straws and play with them
Go to the bathroom or out on the porch and take some deep breaths, and try to calm your busy mind
Lie down and put yourself on a warm beach with the waves breaking and the salt air beakoning
Consiously relax your muscles, especially your neck and back muscles.
Do some yoga moves
Spend some time with sudoku
Watch a favorite show
Give yourself permission to spend a few moments alone pampering yourself
Take a bath with candles
My friend says clean the house or reorganize a room, decorate
Play a game with your child
Knit a scarf or hat
Play and punch playdough
I bet you know what helps you relax, Just give yourself permission to spend the time to take a break from your busy life.
I know you can get through this busy time without smoking! Give yourself permission to spend time on yourself. Happy Holidays

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