It's Elementary, My Dear Gal...
Tis' the most stressful time of the year...
18 Days, 4 hours, 52 minutes.
Days are long, your REM cycle is cut short, your feet hurt in flats, the section of your store that you spent hours "fluffing" the day before has been destroyed, and if one more customer doesn't respond to your "Hello, how are you?" you may snap.
The 99 Percent has a fantastic article about Staying Strong Under Stress.
Here's what The Gals suggest...
Number 1: Hydrate.
So important! Not only does water help your kidneys, one of the most hard working organs in your body, flush toxins, regulate your electrolytes, and blood pressure; but it also has beauty benefits. Being dehydrated causes dark circles, droopy eyes, and brittle skin. Try drinking close to your body weight in fluid ounces each day. Bottoms up!!
Number 2: Antioxidant drinks.
The Gals have recently fallen in L.O.V.E. with Odwalla. These drinks pack a powerful punch of vitamins, protein, and antioxidants to give you that extra boost of energy to make it through the day. These tasty beverages are the perfect supplement if you don't have time for breakfast; no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors--just pure nourishment for your body!
Number 3: Exercise.
Yoga. Adore it. You can safely stretch your muscles, which releases lactic acid that builds up with muscle usage causing tension, stiffness, and fatigue. You can achieve long and lean muscles while developing your flexibility, strength, balance, and posture. All so helpful when you spend a long day on your feet!
Number 4: Meditation/Quiet Time.
It seems as if we are going, going, going all day long. My doctor once told me that we as humans were not conditioned to squint at computer screens for hours, sit in traffic for long periods of times, or being constantly connected to our phones or the internet. For your mind's sake, you need "down time." This helps you decompress and heightens creativity. Meditation is a great way to reduce anxiety, increase your blood flow, slow your heart rate, help your emotional stability, and boost your focus and concentration. There are a plethora of apps that you can download that deliver relaxing sounds. So pop in those ear buds and relax!
Most importantly...you DO NOT want your bedside table to resemble this...
(Ahem, Margaret....)
