10 Ways to De-stress This Holiday Season
Holidays can be a magical and joyous time, but even with all that seasonal cheer stress can start to suffocate us.
Winter holidays are glorious at my childhood home. Mom decks the halls with garland and lights and the whole vibe is magical wonderland. I grew up in a family that appreciates the mystery and joy of Christmas. We truly go all out and it’s a wonderful season for us. But even in the best setting and among the finest company, holiday stress can be unavoidable.
Parties, dinners, family gatherings, gift buying, school and office events, and too many holiday treats can stress our bodies and minds. In an effort to help myself, I wrote a list of 10 ways to de-stress this season and thought I’d share them with you.
Self-care. If you’ve read my book or blogs, you know how important self-care is. Make sure you’re consciously taking time to care for yourself. Whether that’s time alone, getting a massage, spending time in nature or with loved ones, or whatever you like to do to decompress. This can be an hour or so everyday or little moments sprinkled throughout your day. Just be sure you’re loving and caring for yourself, and taking time to recharge your batteries
Meditation. This is always my go-to. There’s nothing better than meditating to weed the stressful non-thoughts out of your head. You know, those constant underlying anxieties about all the things that need to be done. Meditation will help sort through and release that extra stress. So, settle yourself, take some deep breaths, and try to think about nothing for a while.
Adaptogenics. Don’t be afraid to look to nature for help adapting to stress. There are a lot of herbs that can be of assistance! My favorite is Jiaogulan, aka Gynostemma. I get it as a loose leaf tea and it’s noticeably relaxing. It’s a good idea to only drink one cup until you know how sleepy it’ll make you. My other instant relief beverage is kava tea. Kava is a root that has sedating properties and can also help an upset stomach. Some others you may have heard of are: ashwaganda, turmeric, licorice, chaga and other mushrooms, moringa, ginkgo, bacopa, and ginseng. Try adding some of these time honored adaptogenic herbs to your diet and feel that holiday stress melt away.
Gratitude. Gratitude practices are everywhere nowadays. I know hearing someone tell you to be grateful can make folks cringe- but it really is helpful. Next time you’re upset about all your plans and holiday activities, try reframing it. It’s pretty awesome you have so many people who want to celebrate with you during this jubilant time of year. It’s wonderful that you have so many people you want to celebrate being in your life! It’s just once a year, so reframe that social stress for a few weeks if you can.
Exercise. Don’t worry, I know you’re probably busy and I’m not going to tell you to hit the gym five times a week. But make sure you’re consciously moving your body. Ten minutes of bodyweight exercises can refresh a sluggish mind, a walk outside at lunch can energize you for the rest of the day, chasing your dog (or child!) around the yard or walking with them after dinner can help ease a lot of stress. Moving your body regularly will help you feel better immediately and will help you adapt to stress much more easily.
Diet. This is a hard one during holidays. What’s your favorite holiday food? Mine is stuffing and the Irish cream my mom makes, that’s so delicious in a cup of coffee after dinner. I’m not one to miss desert and I hope you’re not either, but be aware of everything you’re ingesting. Try sticking to natural food and don’t forget to eat your vegetables and high quality proteins. The uber processed, high sugar, fake foods, and possible increased alcohol consumption that goes hand in hand with the holidays is stressful on our bodies and often leads to heightened emotional and mental stress. So please, eat a healthy diet in between the cookies and eggnog!
Sleep Quality. Sleep is the most important thing for your body and mind to recover from anything. If we’re not sleeping well, our bodies are literally not working well. Try sticking to a normal sleep schedule. Cover up extra lights in your bedroom (light blocking curtains are great and you can use electrical tape to cover the lights on electronics that don’t always turn off, like your TV. I’ve even used window tint to soften the light from alarm clocks), keep the temperature in your room lower than the rest of your home, and avoid eating right before bedtime. The more well rested you are the better you’ll feel.
Hydration. Cold winter air, sugar, and alcohol seem to be everywhere this time of year, and it’s making me thirsty! Is anyone else out there feeling a bit dehydrated? Drinking water can be a challenge during the winter, but a dehydrated body is a stressed body. Make sure you’re drinking enough water! Aim for about half your bodyweight in ounces. Example: A 120 pound person should try to drink at least 60 ounces of water a day. That’s not including extra water for hot days and exercise. Also, be sure to add high quality electrolytes to it every so often. I personally try to have them once day, or more if I’m exercising heavily. Water is life giving, but electrolytes are needed to carry the electrical charge throughout our body. Coconut water is great source or you can add high quality electrolytes to your water. I use LMNT as often as I can. Their electrolytes are sugar free, paleo, keto friendly, and the company is full of amazing people who want to help others live a healthy and active life. Not to mention, they’re delicious and they even give you recipes on how to make your own electrolytes! By staying hydrated and adding electrolytes, you’ll feel more energized this season.
Meet yourself where you’re at. The holidays can be beautiful or dreadful. Sometimes they’re both! If you find yourself struggling, don’t feel alone. I think a lot of people enter a period of grief or depression somewhere during this time of year. If you’re having a hard day and can’t seem to uplift yourself, don’t try to force it. Meet yourself where you’re at. Maybe this is a time where you need some extra rest or you could benefit from solitude and self reflection. Give yourself the permission to care for yourself first. If you need to miss a party or dinner with friends so you can process what and how you’re feeling, then do it. No one else can that for you and by ignoring your needs and pushing through, the stress will only pile up and you could feel even worse. So take a moment to be with yourself and accept that you may need some extra care this season.
Sink into JOY. This really can be a magical and miraculous time of year. If you find yourself looking at twinkling lights in awe, feeling holiday music infuse your soul, and being energized by the commotion this season brings, then sink into it! Fully allow joy to fill your being and let it lift you up. I’m excited to spend time with my nephews this holiday season. Seeing the magic in their eyes while talking about Santa and how the heck reindeer fly will fill me with joy. If you find yourself buzzing with holiday cheer- sink into it!
Those are my tips on how to de-stress this holiday season and I hope they help you. What are some ways you like to destress? Head over to my Instagram and let me know!
