We are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, which for many of us means a surge in stress. While our calendars may be jam-packed with opportunities for good cheer this time of year, many stresses will invariably arise from increases in travel, houseguests, family interactions, social engagements, timelines, financial burdens, and, of course, an indulgence in rich foods.

Here are a few tips to help you de-stress during the holidays:

Maintain your normal sleep and meal routine. Do your best to structure your wake and sleep times so you’re consistently going to bed at night and waking up in the morning at the same time over the next six+ weeks. Also, if you shoot for at least eight hours of sleep, you’ll likely feel more energetic throughout the day. As for meals, eating at regular intervals helps avoid the blood sugar roller coaster. Considering that spikes and crashes in blood sugar will always exacerbate the stress response, adhere to and even plan ahead for regular meal times. Do this and you’ll also be more apt to choose better foods versus seek out quick fixes for your low blood sugar.

Keep the sweet treats to a minimum (including alcohol). Tis the season for mulled wine, fudge, pie, and lots of carbs. These all hold an emotional value during the holiday season. While you may allow yourself a treat now and again, keep in mind that eating sweets will often increase cravings. The more sweets we eat, the more likely we are to find ourselves in a vicious cycle of energy crashes and added cravings for more carbs and sweets.

Take at least 30 minutes of personal time every day. During the holidays, a lot of outward energy is expended via celebration planning and social events. Take some time away from electronics and people to rejuvenate and find your center. A 30-minute break to get some fresh air, go for a walk, enjoy some exercise, or take a quiet bath can immediately deliver revitalization—one of the best “gifts” you can give yourself this season.

Allow for 10 to 15 minutes of meditation or prayer. When you calm your mind from all the “have to-s”, “must be-s,” and “should-s,” you will give yourself the space to embrace the Love, Peace and acts of Service in your heart—and this is the true essence of the holiday spirit.

Take the edge off with some herbal relief. Whether it’s in the form of teas or tinctures, adding in some nervine herbs to your daily routine may help you feel more calm throughout the day. Gentle, non-sedating herbs include chamomile, lavender, oat, and passion flower. One of my favorite calming products to help you de-stress is Passiflora Plex. I also like to recommend dandelion root or Unda 243 to help assist people with the over indulgence that often happens during this season. If you would like to learn more about such herbal relief, we commonly stock these supplements in our office and are happy to answer any questions.

All of these tips are important—holidays or not. But if you find yourself in a chronic state of stress before or beyond the holiday season, then you may want to consider addressing adrenal health. The adrenals are the primary glands that produce cortisol and adrenaline—the hormone and neurotransmitter, respectively—that help you cope with your stress response. When you are in a chronic state of stress either from work, responsibilities, emotional and physical trauma, financial burdens or even “happy stress,” such as planning a wedding or starting a new job, you can find lulls in energy, digestion, metabolism, and mood. Without a robust stress-management health plan, your adrenal reserve can slowly (or quickly!) become depleted.

If you suspect your current level of stress is more than just holiday stress, then consider comprehensive testing to determine adrenal levels, followed by a personalized adrenal supportive plan. In the meantime, enjoy Love, Friends and Family. The best present to yourself and to others this holiday season is to be present in the moment. That alone will do wonders for you stress level.