6 Tips To Reduce Your Stress Levels This Holiday
December is one of the busiest times of the year. Thanksgiving has come and gone, only to enter the crazy holiday season. With its magic, joy, and festiveness also comes stress & exhaustion.
With these weeks before Christmas and New Years, when we’re working on overdrive to:
Fulfill Our Work Responsibilities
Get in Family Time
Cook, Clean, Care for our Kiddos
Decorate the House
Host & Attend Parties and Events
Plan for Potential Travel
Schedule In Exercise and “Time For Self”
… Do All The Above Seamlessly??
It can feel impossible to keep our heads above water. With proactive steps taken, you can greatly decrease your stress levels and have a bit more time to enjoy yourself and others this holiday.
6 Tips To Lower Stress This Holiday Season
1️⃣ MAKE A GAME PLAN WITH WORK OBLIGATIONS 👩💻
There might be some catching up to do and/or preparation needed to remind yourself of that work presentation fast approaching. Rather than thinking you have to do it all at once, prioritize. What needs to be done urgently? Start there. Schedule out time when you can do this, so there’s not an added sense of anxious dread. Spending 15-20 minutes each morning reviewing your schedule and planning your day can make all the difference as the hours go by.
2️⃣ HYDRATE 💦
Factors like changed eating habits, alcohol consumption, travel, and disrupted sleep schedules all contribute to bodily sluggishness. Focusing on water consumption will give you more energy, help your body with digestion, help with the post vacation “zombie” brain, and so much more! Remember, the CDC recommends at least 3.7 liters (or about 130 fl oz) for men and 2.7 liters (about 95 fl oz) for women.
3️⃣ FOCUS ON LEAFY GREENS 🥦
They’re filling and nourishing. They help with bloating, regulating dopamine and serotonin (stress reduction!), and are natural detoxifiers. Try out: Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Cabbage, Romaine, Arugula, or Endive.
4️⃣ GET YOUR BODY MOVING 🏃♀️🧘♀️
Revive your energy and get your blood pumping. Exercise also helps with digestion, sleep, and detoxification. Pick your favorite form of joyful movement- Yoga? Peloton? A Jog? The natural endorphin boost will make a big difference.
*Pro tip: When completing step #1, block off 30-45 minutes in your schedule to get in some physical activity.
5️⃣ RECOMMIT TO YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE 😴
Too often, the importance of sleep gets brushed aside. It’s important to get on the same sleep routine you had, committing to going to bed and waking up at similar times. Even if you’re feeling overwhelmed, cutting back on sleep is not the best answer.
6️⃣ SAY NO WHEN NEEDED 🤷♀️
When you’re already feeling the stress, tacking on additional responsibilities won’t help. While we love to be there for others, go to every event, or be that “helping hand,” it’s also ok to recognize when it’s too much. Define what your limit is first. Then, focus on filling about 80% of it, knowing that there might be those unexpected necessary things that always tend to pop up at inconvenient times!
The holidays should be a time of relaxation, enjoyment, and fun. While we all deal with stress when things get crazy hectic, hopefully the 6 tips above can aid in decreasing your load, and increasing your levels of excitement.