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Health & FitnessTis The Season To Lose Your Sanity...(And Your Waistline!)By Laura DaltonSome of you many think I’m crazy, but I love the holidays. LOVE THEM.I’m all about eggnog and pumpkin pie, decorating trees, inflatables and lights.I love to make peanut butter fudge while listening to Harry Connick Jr.’s holiday album.I make my kids watch Rudolph, A Christmas Story, Elf and Frosty the Snowman – more than once.Yet, like childbirth, I forget how incredibly tense and short-tempered I get this time of year, blaming my husband, my Dad, the kids, the weather, the lamppost – anyone in firing range, for my stress. What I need is a Mary Poppins size wallet, a full-time maid, 11 more hours in the day, children who behave exquisitely in the mall, a husband who share’s my glee about Santa’s impending arrival, and for calories not to “count” these next six weeks. (Did I mention the maid?)Since none of the aforementioned wishes have been granted thus-far, I’m forced to look at some more realistic solutions. Remember that stress is extremely unhealthy. Managing your stress through the holidays goes hand- in-hand with staying healthy through the holidays. It’s with a bit of hypocrisy that I give my suggestions for helping maintain your sanity during the holidays:Create realistic expectations: don’t try to make this the perfect holiday. That means to save your sanity, you need to learn how to say “no” to extra obligations that might add time to that ticking time bomb in your head. “Unfortunately, my calendar is already overbooked. You know how the holidays are!” Say it to yourself over and over whenever you’re alone.TAKE YOUR VITAMINS! This includes omega 3’s (fish, flax, chia). Vitamin D and B-vitamins (also known as “Stress Vitamins”) can help with natural energy, and omega 3’s help balance mood (yes, husbands, you read that correctly). You need them now more than ever! Looking for EXTRA energy? Try a vitapack, which may have an extra kick of ginseng and guarana (a natural caffeine source) to help keep you alert and your immune system high.Create a new holiday tradition that builds connections amongst those closest to you. Grab a bunch of friends, some hot cocoa and seek out a neighborhood decked out in lights. Caroling used to be so popular when I was growing up-it is often now reserved for churches or school groups. If you can find one, it will fill your heart more than you could ever imagine!Set a goal for spending. Ummm...one that you can honestly keep within a certain range, my friends! This is the time of year we can rationalize maxing out our credit cards, telling ourselves, “It’s not for us, it’s for our beloved family and friends.”To help with #4, tap into your creativity (or in my case, pinterest, since I was born with no creativity gene whatsoever) instead of your wallet and create a gift. I cannot draw a stick person well, but I have been able to create some pretty decent photobooks on shutterfly that the grandparents cherish. Nowadays, it is inexpensive, quick and the template does most of the work for you. Startlooking for web coupons now!Take 2 short 15 minute breaks to let go of tension. If you can go 1 step further and meditate, even better. Those of you with small children may have to do this in the bathroom or on the carpool line-just be mindful not to fall asleep at the wheel.• Relationship • Anxiety / difficulties Depression• Child behavior • Substance problems abuse• Military families• Faith Based• • •We offer late afternoon and evening hours.Most insurances accepted.We file insurance electronically on your behalf (in and out of network)Page 14 | Suburban Living Fuquay-Varinawww.suburbanlivingmag.com