Hi All,

December is here and I hope this has been your BEST YEAR EVER!!!

If not, I encourage you to finish this year off on a high note and go out in style.

I love the holidays.  It is a time of giving and good will; love and happiness; and helping those in need.  With that said, I see many people who find this time of year to be very STRESSFUL.

I regularly present programs for schools, businesses, clubs and other groups on Stress Management (and many other health & wellness related topics) and thought this information might be helpful for you.  The following are excerpts from the material I cover.

When you are STRESSED it has a HUGE negative impact on your health and the health of everyone you interact with.

Stress Stats

• Stress costs us $300 billion/yr in disability, productivity and absenteeism
• 75-90% of all Dr. visits are stress related
• Stress is the primary health problem inAmerica today

How Does Stress Affect Your Health?

• Headaches
• Digestion Problems
• Asthma & Allergies
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Problems
• Diabetes
• Sleep Disturbance
• Skin Conditions
• Poor Immune Function
• Slower Healing
• Depression and Anxiety
• Weight Gain

Just to name a few …

• Pollution
• Smoking
• Drugs & Alcohol
• Prescription and over-the-counter Medications
• The Biggest Chemical Stressor is: The Food we eat
  – refined, processed foods, white sugar, white flour, soda …

The Physical Stressors Include:

• Falls
• Traumas
• Accidents
• Injuries
• The Biggest Physical Stressor is: SEDENATARY LIFESTYLE & POOR POSTURE

The Mental/Emotional Stressors Include Relationships & Perceived Experiences:

• Family
• Friends
• Work
• The Biggest Mental/Emotional Stressor is: Your Relationship with & Perception of YOURSELF.

Stress Management Tool:

1. There are things you can control and things you cannot control
1. Focus on the things you CAN Control
2. Healthy Lifestyle – easy ways to address the 3 types of stress
1. Eat a Healthy Diet – veggies, fruit, whole grains, lean meats & WATER.
2. Daily Exercise including exercise for postural muscles (feel free to contact Dr. Stern for more information on posture exercises).
3. Restorative Rest – if you are not awakening rested each morning you are either not getting enough sleep or the quality of your sleep is poor.  You need enough restorative rest!
4. Your Thoughts/Beliefs Create Your Reality – make sure your head is in the right place & focusing on what you really desire.
3. Maintain a HEALTHY NERVE SYSTEM – the master control system of your body deserves at least the same level of care and maintenance you give to your teeth (regular  brushing, flossing & check-ups) and car (regular lube & oil).  Get your family’s nerve systems checked regularly to achieve your highest Quality of Life!

In addition to the lifestyle approaches:

1. Goal Setting – Have a plan
2. Organization –prepared & organized
3. Reframe the stressor in your mind
1. How will this affect me in a week, a month, a year …
2. Find the positives
4. Create a space where you can De-Stress (light, smell, sound)
5. Meditate – clearing your mind
6. Breathing – slow deep breathing
7. Laughter

Note:
Dr. Stern is available to do Stress Management (and other health & wellness) Programs for you at your home with our Home Health & Wellness Parties or at schools, businesses, Church, Temple and social groups (any type  of group with 10 or more attendees) …

Call Stern Chiropractic TODAY to schedule your program!

Opportunities to Help Others This Holiday Season

Remember, even if this is not your BEST YEAR EVER, there are those that are much worse off.  Stern Chiropractic is making it easy for you to help those in need this holiday season:

1. Now through 12/11 we are still collecting DVD’s, VHS’s & Trading Cards for children in local shelters.

2. Stern Chiropractic is hosting our annual food drive. We are collecting non-perishable
food for the Vernon Township Food Pantry.

Please drop off your donations at our office:121 McHenry Rd., BG.

Procrastination is a HUGE stressor so don’t wait another minute.

Make a family appointment at Stern Chiropractic and see how you can reduce the stress for your family and improve your Quality of Life.

Stern Chiropractic is Chicagoland’s Wellness Lifestyle resource and is here to help guide you and your family to an EXTRAODINARY LIFE of Love, Joy, Health and Happiness in 2010.

Call NOW to get your family started on their EXTRAORDINARY journey!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This smallest act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Become a friend (of Gregg Stern) on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.