The holiday season is about spending quality time with the ones we love. Quite often this simple fact is buried by finding the perfect gift, cooking the most delicious dish, or hosting a memorable gathering. According to ewellnessmag.com, the season “can bring stress starting in November and go straight through until the new year. We experience a combination of stressors related to financial costs of the holidays, family coming to stay and the conflicts it may bring, and the stress of trying to have the perfect meal and holiday all together.”
If you’re ready to enjoy the season without the added weight of holiday stress, here are 5 tips:
1. Remember to take care of yourself!
Seemingly during the holiday season, we are mindful of everyone’s needs as our own often take a backseat to the season. It’s important to remember to take care of yourself at such a busy time. Dr. Christina Tarantola, licensed pharmacist and nutrition consultant says “[g]et plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet, do some form of activity, and carve out time for self-care.” Taking care of yourself helps us stay stress free and productive, while neglecting basic needs “leaves us vulnerable to getting sick and prone to getting more irritated by little things,” says Dr. Tarantola.
2. Get Creative!
There’s no age limit on creativity, and the recent surge in adult coloring books is proof that creativity can be a great outlet for all ages. In a recent article on kokoon.io, creativity is elevated as “an important way in which our minds process stressful circumstances or events, and work through our feelings.” Quite often the holiday season can agitate strained relationships or heighten emotions. A creative outlet can stimulate the mind, release nervous energy. 3 out of 4 participants in a recent study credit art as stress reliever. Whether it’s writing, coloring, sculpting or any other artistic outlet, remember to bask in the creativity.
3. Seek New Surroundings!
Traveling can be a freeing experience during the holiday season. In a recent article Trip Jaunt on links between traveling and reducing stress, that freedom comes from just knowing “you are going somewhere new, beautiful, and interesting.” According to Professor and author Adam Galinksy, travel increases our mind’s flexibility and creativity. The free time around the holidays can be used as a mental reset for you and the one’s you love traveling to new places.
4. Get Moving, Exercise!
Wellness expert Dr. Frank Lipman recommends scheduling exercise “like you would any other important event – just block out the time. Exercise is great for stress relief and can help put you in a mildly euphoric state when mood and energy starts to flag.” A 15-20 minute walk, yoga, dancing or anything you can think of to get moving, works wonders for stress relief during the holiday season.
5. Go Outside!
Fresh air and the Vitamin D from the sun can reinvigorate the spirit. The National Wildlife Federation says, “nature is a great antidote for all the craziness of this time of year. It can ‘lower the stress level, revive the spirits, and add to the enchantment of the season.’ " Consider decorating with natural elements like pinecones to give purpose to being outdoors. Find more great ideas here.
Sources:
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/christina-tarantola/2017/11/five-tips-for-a-stress-free-holiday
https://kokoon.io/relieving-stress-and-anxiety-through-creativity/
www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/study-says-making-art-reduces-stress_us_576183ece4b09c926cfdccac
https://tripjaunt.com/travel-depression-anxiety-cure/
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/03/for-a-more-creative-brain-travel/388135/
http://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-12-nature_can_reduce_holiday_stre-story.html