Keep stress at bay this holiday season

Mary Miller, Marketing

Make time for a pedicure or something that helps you relax and take care of yourself. The holidays are a common time for people to get sick, not necessarily because they are around others who are sick, but because they are too run-down and don’t take time to unwind. If you give everything away for others, you have nothing left to take care of you!

Also – enjoy your favorite beverage to help with the relaxation, or cuddle with your four-legged family members!

Nicole Eidson, Client Services

Do things one step at a time and slow down. I went and saw a sloth recently, and I think he’s got the right idea!

Justin Goes, Operations

Gosh, an easy go-to de-stresser is laying on the couch watching football. But that feels too generic. When I get stressed, I like to play guitar or tinker around in my shop to unwind. Guitar stimulates my mind, and playing around in the shop gets me on my feet and active. If I am stressed at work, I just put on the lo-fi beats and grind it out. Everything seems less stressful when you have a good soundtrack going on.

Sam Johnson, Marketing

Grab a good book, build a fire in your fireplace, cuddle with your cats. Maybe enjoy one of these Fireside Ritas Mary mentioned.

Lindsay Mowery, Sales

I have learned, over the years, a few ways to set myself up for success over the holidays:

1. Making sure I carve out some time for me to be alone.
2. Getting lost in activities with my daughters. I love playing games and putting the phone away and getting “lost” in their world.
3. Any outdoor activities – just being outside, in nature, always has a calming effect for me. From a walk or a hike, to snow sledding, to renting a cabin for the girls and myself – all options I have adopted to decompress during the holidays.

Tiffany Weiss, Client Services

I love to bake and cook to relax! Here’s a favorite fudge recipe you can use:

Ingredients

• 12 oz. chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet, real chocolate)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
• Optional: You can add Andes mints to step 1 to give a minty flavor!

Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate and butter in a saucepan over medium-low or low heat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and eggs, mixing well.
3. Add the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla extract to the bowl with powdered sugar and eggs. Mix thoroughly to incorporate.
4. Add the nuts if desired and mix to thoroughly incorporate.
5. With a spatula, pour chocolate fudge mixture into a well-greased 8×8″ pan. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm.
6. Slice into (64) bite sized pieces and serve. Refrigerate when not being served.