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The holiday super bowl from November 1 to the real Super Bowl in January is the most exciting, joyful -- and stressful -- time of the year. In order to survive the turkeys, gift-shopping, parties, rich desserts and over-flowing champagne, you should maintain your regular fitness schedule and create your own seasonal stress-busting plan. The following tips are sure to relieve your frazzled body, mind and spirit during the hectic holidays.

Take A Time Out

Sometimes you just have to remove yourself, literally, from the source of the stress to keep from blowing your top. Go into a room by yourself for a few minutes to calm down. Or take a power walk around the block. Visit someplace peaceful -- a bookstore, museum, a cozy coffee shop, or attend a worship service -- to unwind your nerves and lift your spirits. If the kids are stressing you out, give yourself a little break from them by asking a friend or relative to baby-sit for a few hours or maybe a weekend. Take a vacation, or enjoy a mental getaway by closing your eyes and imagining you're relaxing on the warm sands of a Caribbean paradise.

Get A Good Rub Down

Stress can cause headaches and knotted muscles. Ask your honey for a massage or visit a professional massage therapist (you can even go on your lunch break) to relax tense muscles.

Pump Up The Volume And Dance

Dancing is good for relieving stress and is good aerobic exercise. Crank up the stereo with your favorite fast beats and slide, salsa or jitterbug that anxiety out of your system.

Close Your Eyes And Meditate

Even if you can't flee to a quiet corner, just stop what you're doing for five minutes, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Pray, recite positive affirmations or just clear your mind and think of nothing. You'll 6e surprised how fast your tension will disappear and how that urge to choke the nearest person will subside.

Work Out Worries With A Workout

If you're angry, peeved or frustrated, rather than fuming or snapping at someone, release that negative energy with an energizing, stress-and-calorie-burning workout. A half hour on a bike or treadmill, circuit training on weight machines, pounding a punching bag or working out to a fitness tape will help get rid of some of that steam.

Put Stress Down With A Pick-Me-Up

An occasional indulgence can boost a weary spirit. Treat yourself to a huge bouquet of fragrant flowers, a bottle of your favorite perfume, or just a wee bit of those decadent chocolates -- whatever brings a smile to your face.

Read To Relax

Escape the insanity that is often life in the pages of a good, relaxing book. For emergencies, carry a pocket book of spiritual devotions or daily affirmations so that when the pressure builds, you can whip it out and read a few soothing lines.

Let It All Out

Holding in anger, fear and worry only makes stress worse, so you need to get it out of your system. For some people, it helps to go into an empty room, close the door and just scream or cry it out. For others, talking out troubles with a trusted friend or relative helps. You may even want to laugh it out. Laughter really is the best medicine, so rent a gut-busting comedy or check out a corny joke book and release those pent-up emotions with a good laugh.

Give Your Body Rest

Chronic lock of sleep not only leaves you sluggish and lowers your body's resistance, but also reduces your ability to handle stress. Make sure you get a good night's sleep so that you can be ready to handle the daily pressures. Also, a quick power nap can give your body and your mind a midday recharge.

Spend Time With The Gang

Being in the presence of supportive people can go a long way toward reducing stress. Make a date to get together with family or friends. And instead of just loafing on the couch, do something fun and active, like roller skating or ice skating, skiing, bowling, or throwing an indoor pool party.

Shop 'Til You Drop (Just Don't Overspend)

A leisurely trip to the mall or a jaunt to neighborhood shops may be just the excursion you need to get away from the daily pressures. However, you might want to shop during the off hours (early morning or midday during the week) so that you won't have to battle stressful crowds. Plus, you can work out while shopping. Walk briskly around the mall, take the stairs instead of the escalator or do arm curls using your shopping bags as weights.

Block Out "Me" Time In Your Schedule

Don't use this time to balance your checkbook or clean the fridge -- do something relaxing that you normally don't have time to do. Take a trip to a day spa for a full-body treatment, or give yourself a manicure, pedicure and facial. Curl up with a steaming cup of cocoa (or decaf coffee or tea) and play some soft sounds, either your favorite quiet grooves or a CD of nature sounds like ocean tides and chirping birds. See a new movie or rent a timeless classic. Revisit an old hobby, or better yet, do completely nothing.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:28 PM