With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to jump right into a hectic, stressful, hyper-speed lifestyle. But let this serve as a reminder to turn down the dial a notch or two if you regularly feel stressed out. Stress can lead to a variety of health problems and unhealthy eating behaviors, ranging from heart disease to overeating. What can you do to de-stress your lifestyle this holiday season? Try these ideas:

• Get moving. Among its many health benefits, exercise provides a fantastic way to relieve stress. Do something active every day, even if it’s only a 20-minute walk on your lunch hour.
• Get organized - with your stuff and your time. A clear, orderly space serves as a visual reminder that you’ve got things under control. Use a day planner to map out your day (and your priorities).
• Eat healthy. Rather than succumbing to junk food or fast food when you’re on the run or at work, always keep a healthy snack on hand. For example, throw some protein nutrition bars or bags of protein snacks in your purse for eat-me-now snack options. And, stock up on diet shakes and drinks and light diet entrees for a quick, healthy snack or meal.
• Get plenty of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, when you don’t get adequate sleep, you accumulate a sleep debt that can be difficult to “pay back” if it becomes too big. The resulting sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, and safety issues in the home, on the job, and on the road.

Have a happy, low-stress Christmas holiday!