Along with all that Christmas cheer, it can also bring lots of stress, anxiety, depression, and holiday heart syndrome in Nepean. What is holiday heart syndrome? It is the name given to this time of year because of the increase in the number of heart attacks. It's largely believed there is an increase in heart issues because of too much food and drink, sleep deprivation, increased levels of stress because of work deadlines, family and even the added pressure of finding that perfect gift.

So, how do you work on reducing your stress levels or at least lessen the impact stress has on your body? My suggestion to you is much like my suggestions at any other time of year. Make sure you're working on the requirements for health by eating well, moving well, thinking well and having your spine and nervous system working well.

Now, let's get into the specifics in Nepean!

Move well - Keep moving, doing some form of movement or exercise to help with combatting stress and those extra holiday calories. Keep to your routine as much as possible. If you're exercising or doing some form of movement already, keep doing it that day of the week or at least as many times per week. If you aren't, don't wait until January! Start now and start small. Also, if you know that you're going to be out at a party having extra food or drinks, do a workout, walk or some form of movement before the event to help offset the extra calories.

Get enough sleep - All the parties and late nights can add up and create sleep deprivation. Work on sticking to your regular sleep times and reducing alcohol consumption right before bed. Remember, when you're sleeping is when your body is doing most of it's repairing and healing.

Eat well - That's pretty funny isn't it? While I don't expect you to be eating as well as you would regularly, just make sure that you have some strategies to help keep the holiday weight off. Before you head out to a party, have little snacks to help keep you from overeating.

Grab some veggies or healthy foods so that you have some healthy nutrients going in to balance all the not so healthy food going in. Eating before will also help reduce those cravings for the gingerbread cookies or other yummy baked goods. Grab a small plate at the food line instead of the big plate. Filling up a smaller plate occurs much faster than a big plate. Hopefully reducing how much you eat. Work on reducing the carbs you are grabbing from the table. Start with protein and vegetables which will help make you feel full.

Remember, those cocktail beverages and eggnog can add up quickly.

Think well - This time of year is commonly when people will suffer with more anxiety and depression. Spending time reviewing your year reflecting and writing in a gratitude journal can help change your mind set. Spend some time revisiting your core values. It's also a great time to help others. It's been shown that when you're feeling down, helping others is one of the best things you can do you help with your mood.

And finally, make sure your nervous system is free of any Neuro structural shifts which affect how well your nervous system is working. Stress occurs based on your brain's ability to interpret the environment, adapt and respond appropriately. If your nervous system is not optimal, interfered with or unorganized, it can't adapt and respond adding more stress to your already stressed body. Keeping your nervous system free of shifts might one of the best gifts you can give yourself.