Christmas Health – 5 Tips For Enjoying A Healthy Christmas

You may be able to help get a handle on high blood pressure by letting bygones be bygones. In a study, people who generally had forgiving natures tended to have lower blood pressure readings compared to people who were not as forgiving. Chronic high blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke and other serious health ailments. Help your health by putting old grudges aside this holiday season. Celebrate the health of your colon with a few servings of selenium-rich foods. Colon cancer survivors who had the highest levels of the antioxidant mineral selenium in their blood were least likely to have the cancer recur, a recent study reported. Brazil nuts, as well as holiday favorites such as turkey and baked ham, are good sources of selenium. Just don't overdo it by taking a supplement - too much selenium can be toxic. If you're trying to avoid holiday weight gain this season, be sure you get lots of sleep. Willpower may be a limited resource, much like energy or strength, and researchers speculate that rest may be required to replenish it. Thus, getting adequate amounts of sleep this holiday season may make it easier for you to resist extra servings of high-calorie treats. Unwind this holiday season by playing some soothing music in the background. Uplifting music has been shown to help keep stress levels under control. In one study, students who performed a stressful task experienced mood improvements when listening to music after performing the task. Keep the volume levels low to help boost feelings of well-being. Are you feeling a bit of post-holiday malaise? A little extra exercise may boost your spirits. Many people feel an emotional letdown after the passing of a holiday season. However, studies have revealed that exercise is a great way to boost mood or keep negative feelings a bay. In a study, regular physical activity appeared to reduce the risk of both depression and anxiety.