Beat Stress This Holiday Season
When the holidays come around (especially in the year 2020), you feel like a young Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2. Of course you love your family, but how sweet would it be for them to be away during this *sarcastic tone* oh so joyous time?
Let’s talk about stress. There’s increased time with family (or not), money restrictions, guilt, and food pushers. You’re busy. Every. Single. Day. You tend to relieve this stress like many others, with a lack of self-awareness, compassion, and care.
This holiday season doesn’t have to be the same as the horror stories from your past. Check out these free and easy ways to reduce stress and keep sane this time of year!
Endorphin Rush
What makes you feel good? That. Do that!
A few classic ways to get an endorphin rush is to workout, enjoy your favorite food, laugh, do the dirty, use essential oils or eat some spicy peppers.
Relax!
“I am relaxed, don’t tell me to relax, you relax!”
Again, what relaxes you? Does taking the dog for a walk calm you down? Can you focus on reading or deep breathing and meditating? Or is taking a bath more your speed?
Just Be
Be in the moment. Be here now. You might not want to hear it but it needs to be said. Spending too much time dwelling on your long to-do list, trying to “accomplish” more, or or looking at a screen is counterproductive for a happy holiday season.
Yes, it’s okay to get stuff done if you need to, but if you’re stuck in that cycle of anxiety, hit pause! Where are your hands, where are your feet? Get out of your head and be in your body. You will feel more grounded and in reality.
Escape
You’re at a (virtual) holiday party. You’re going to scream if one more person tells you what you need to be doing with your life, what hobby they’ve picked up to pass the time, or what new internet trend they’re on board with. Either poison the mashed potatoes (no, we don’t normally condone violence) or simply escape. It’s much easier and less messy than a Class A felony.
Just leave. Go for a walk, say you have a phone call or forgot to do something. Take a timeout. Maybe that’s impossible right now. No worries, just check out. No one will know.
You can’t choose your family. You can however, choose to deal with your feelings and those pesky outside stressors. Stress can be good. We need it to survive. Too much though, especially in an emotionally charged time like the holiday season, will negatively impact your health. Try one or several tips from above and have a better than expected holiday!
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