Feeling the stress of the holiday season? The good news is there's a way to dial it back a bit and it only takes a few seconds to do. Take a deep breath — but not any old breath. Slower breathing can reduce anxiety, fear and stress. Today, we explain "cycling sighing," box breathing and more techniques to help you relax.
Plus, we've got a simple, healthy and delicious breakfast dish to fortify you and the fam for one last-minute shopping trip or competitive game of Scrabble.
From everyone at Start TODAY, we extend our best wishes for a very happy and healthy holiday season! |
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(If you need help or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our team at start@today.com.) |
*Subscription includes a 7-day free trial. Each year you will be charged $65.99 (plus tax) until you cancel. Cancel anytime. Terms apply. |
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Today's workout is a 5-minute stretch.
Workout those holiday kinks with an extra stretch today: a kneeling hip flexor.
Start kneeling on the ground. Step your right foot out in front of you, with your right knee bent at 90 degrees. Keep your left knee on the ground and stretch the left leg behind you, resting the top of the left foot on the ground. Keeping your back straight, push forward into your right hip, being sure to keep the right knee over the right ankle. Hold this position for 5 breaths, then switch sides.
Get more cool down exercises.
Join the 31-day flexibility challenge! |
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📱 There's more for you in the app! If you're doing the December Flexibility Challenge, get more from the app with:
• Daily, guided workout videos with Stephanie Mansour
• 30-minute guided walks with Al Roker and other experts
• Meal plans that fuel your workouts and help you reach your health goals
• Expert advice and inspiration |
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This Spanish-Italian dish is so versatile: It makes a great holiday brunch dish or you can cook it up for dinner and serve it with salad — and even eat the leftovers for breakfast or lunch the following day. No matter when you eat it, it's nutritious, filling, and flavorful. Breakfast: Vegetable Frittata Lunch: Game Day Chili leftovers Dinner: Peanut Chicken Salad See the meal plan! |
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📱 There's more for you in the app! Want a meal plan that's customized to your personal goals? The app has five unique, dietitian-designed meal plans to help you reach them.
• Budget Friendly
• Weight Loss
• Heart Healthy
• Mediterranean
• Quick & Easy |
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Real ways to make a difference in your life, one small thing at a time. |
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No. 1 way to feel calmer fast, according to experts |
To manage the stress and anxiety that comes with the holiday season, psychologists say feeling calmer is a matter of something you likely take for granted: your breath.
Breathing has a "surprisingly broad" impact on the brain and body, studies have found. Change it and you can change your emotions by altering the signals that go to the brain, experts say.
"The brain listens to the lungs, so the way that we breathe has a tremendous effect on how the brain functions for many different mechanisms," says Dr. Patricia Gerbarg, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College. "The messages from the respiratory system are very powerful and very rapid, and we think they have top priority." Try these 6 breathing exercises to ease holiday stress and anxiety. |
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| Get the recipe for creamy white bean and broccoli soup with cheddar cheese, created by Riley Wofford for TODAY Food. |
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| The winter months are tough for those trying to live a healthy lifestyle. |
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| Rebel Wilson shared she worked out 2.5 hours every day during 'year of health.' She also took Ozempic but no longer does. |
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