The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they can also feel stressful for many. If your mile-long to-do list or flurry of social obligations has you feeling exhausted and out of control, take some time for self-care this holiday season. Peggy Sealfon-Stonewater Studio has excellent advice for anyone looking to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

Try these three useful tips to relieve stress during the holiday season:

• Give Yourself A Break: Add yourself to your long to-do list as a reminder to take a break. When you get to your name on the list, take a 15-minute timeout—just stop everything. Give yourself permission to do nothing, enjoying a short break from both physical and mental activity.  A three-minute guided meditation is the perfect way to recharge and relieve stress.
• Go To The Light: Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and feel anxious and depressed during the shorter days of winter. The solution is to get outdoors and spend time exposed to sunlight or to sit by a sunny window. If neither is possible, invest in daylight-balanced bulbs or consider using a lightbox to stimulate serotonin (the feel-good hormone). 
• Cultivate Mindful Eating: Consuming lots of sugar and alcohol can contribute to aches and pains, weight gain, and muddled thinking—a recipe for feeling lousy. Have a large glass of water or a small snack before heading to a holiday party, so you'll be less inclined to eat everything in sight. For potlucks, bring a beautiful platter of fresh fruit and nuts, so you’ll have at least one healthy snack.

Looking for more advice about anxiety relief? Check out Peggy Sealfon-Stonewater Studio online, or try her book. Escape From Anxiety: Supercharge Your Life With Powerful Strategies From A to Z which is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and offers over 100 strategies for dealing with stress. You can also order a special autographed copy online today!