Throughout the Holiday Season we will be collecting food for the Manatee Food Bank (we do this all year) as well as toys for The Marine Corps Toys For Tots (this one has a deadline of December 22). This is an especially difficult time for some families and your gifts of food and toys will be greatly appreciated. We have collection bins at the studio and welcome your generosity.

While the Holidays are a time of joy - they can also be a time of stress - shopping, parties, cooking, lots of family . . . and that stress can lead to frustration and fatigue. But it can also have an effect on our health, including: severe headaches and even migraines; hypertension; severe indigestion; and even heart attacks and strokes due to accelerated heart rate and blood pressure.

So, here are a few tips that just might make the Holidays a little less stressful:

• Try not to do too much - that’s easy to say, hard to do - but very important. Plan ahead, make your "do" list, prioritize and delegate. And spread the joy of the season - let others help!
• Try your best to get some rest. Get enough sleep and when you begin to feel stressed, take a little break - lie down for a few minutes or take a brief walk.
• If you are dealing with some difficult issues - verbalize the problem. Discuss it with a friend who knows that you are not looking for answers - you just need to "get it off your chest". If no one is available, talk to yourself. If anyone hears you, pretend that you are on your Blue Tooth.
• Remember, you are not perfect. Most of your family and friends know that - and still love you.
• Recognize that while the body does have a strong stress mechanism, it also has built in de-stressors. Without even knowing it, you probably have used these built-in body "relaxers". Don’t you feel better after taking a deep breath and stepping back from the problem for awhile; taking a nice warm bath; or drinking a hot cup of tea. They work - try them.
• Finally, take care of your body. Eat right and get on (and stick to) a regular exercise program that includes some cardio and some type of effective and safe weight-bearing exercise. Exercise will kick in those "feel good" endorphins that can keep you in balance and make your stress more manageable. Remember, when you are stressed or tired - that’s the time you need your exercise the most!

Life is a beautiful gift and the body is an amazing creation. Understand the importance of the good stress in your life and learn how to recognize the signs of the bad. Then you will know when to turn on your body’s "de-stressors".

As in the past, we want to offer our Clients the following Holiday Special:

20 Minutes To Fitness Holiday "Referrals & Gifts of Health"

During the Holiday Season (starting now and continuing thru December 31) when you refer a new Client and that Client. . .

• Completes an Orientation - as is always our policy, you’ll get one free training session for your referral; and
• As a extra Holiday Bonus, if that same Client purchases a session or package - you’ll get a free super stretch training session

Also, if you want to give a special gift of health - we have Gift Certificates for single training sessions or multiple session training packages (6, 12, & 24). Just give us a call and we’ll prepare your gift certificate.

From our 20 Minutes To Fitness Team we wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.