You’ve probably heard that the holidays are the most stressful time of the year. So I won’t worry you with the startling statistics of holiday breakups and suicides. It’s a time when even the best of us can lose it and feel out of control.

So now that you’ve gotten through another holiday season, take a deep breath, a step back and read on to find out how to reduce your stress for the new year.

Stress Signals

Stress signals are signs of distress. They tell you that something is wrong even if you try to ignore them. Ever had a headache that wouldn’t go away? Or been plagued by sleepless nights that leave you tossing and turning until 3:00am? This is your body telling you that your mind is overloaded and in need of respite.  Recognizing the signs is the first step to taking action against stress. 
 
Get Your Priorities Straight

Only you can decide what is valuable to you. Make a list of what is most important in your life.  Once you identify what’s meaningful, figure out if you need to adjust your schedule to make room for it. If spending time with your family is important, but keeping fit is also a priority, try to combine the two and get active with a group activity you all can share. Pay attention to what matters most to you and make life and work adjustments accordingly.