Holidays are a wonderful time of year. Good cheer fills the air, and we get to enjoy the decorations and the aroma of the baking. However, the holidays do not just bring happiness. This time of year can be very stressful - shopping for gifts on a limited budget, dreading the stresses of travel and even enjoying good stress like family visits. I have learned several stress reducing techniques that are listed below. Many of my patients have told me they are helpful, and I have used them myself.

1. Exercise. As my patients will tell you, this is my "cure" for everything. Even 10 minutes of vigorous exercise is enough to reduce the feelings of stress.

2. Good nutrition. Eating rainbows (an abundance of fruits and vegetables) gives your body the raw material to increase stress reducing chemicals in your body. Eating junk food increases insulin, cortisol and other stress hormones, which can cause premature aging and lead to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

3. Refreshing sleep. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep consistently every night. Getting enough sleep ensures that you are well rested and able to cope with the stresses of life.

4. Good relationships. People with a good social support system with family, friends and friendly coworkers live longer than those who do not. Invest time in your relationships. Remember that love is a verb - it is something you do, not just something you feel.

5. Deep breathing. You need air more than you need food and water, so stop every hour and take 2 to 3 slow, deep, cleansing breaths. Try it now and see how good it feels.

6. Say no. Make "no" your automatic response to any new requests. You only have so much time each day so make sure you are saying no to those things that matter least so that you can say yes to those things that matter most.

7. Empty your brain. Get all of the "stuff" out of your head and onto paper so you can free up your brain for thinking. Whether it is a to-do list or big problem you need to solve, writing helps you think more clearly and reduce the feelings of overwhelm.

8. Turn off the television. Do something productive with your time whether it is reading a good book, engaging in your favorite hobby or spending time with your family. Most people do not feel less stressed after television, although you could argue the television "sedates" your brain.

9. Take action. Take action on an important goal. Procrastination is one of the biggest stress inducers that I know. Don't think too much or over analyze, just get started with the quickest smallest step that you can take now. You will almost always feel better when taking action on a goal or a problem.

10. Enjoy the moment. What is good about your life right now? If you try hard enough, you will find something. What are you thankful for? Live each day and each moment with an attitude of gratitude. I know many more stress reducing techniques, but these are some of my favorites. Even if you only consistently apply 1 or 2, you will experience a notable improvement in your stress level.