5 Ways To Reduce Stress and Anxiety During The Holiday Season
The holidays are a joyous time that brings family, friends, and even co-workers together in celebration. A time to spread joy, a time to give, and a time that can truly nourish your soul as you close out the year. With all of the holiday gatherings, shopping, events, and extra-curricular activities you’ll be taking part in, it’s also a time that can wear you out. The added hustle and bustle of the holidays can lead to higher stress levels and some added anxiety. Here are 5 ways you can remain mindful this holiday season, manage your stress levels, and enjoy every moment of the holiday season, with no regrets.
Listen to holiday jazz
There have been studies that have shown multiple health benefits to listening to Jazz Music. Firstly, it helps relax the body by activating your alpha brain waves. Alpha waves are basically the waves that are increased when you quiet your mind and decide to relax. Listening to Jazz has this effect on our bodies. There’s a ton of Christmas Jazz playlists that I listen to that really help me reset if I’m ever feeling overwhelmed. I love Christmas music, but Christmas Jazz is more soothing than some of the more popular Christmas songs. This isn’t to take away from the genius of Dominic the Donkey or I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas… But jazz has a way to set the proper vibration to calm me down, while remaining festive.
Don’t get out of your workout routine.
There’s a ton going on during the holidays, and plenty of things that can/will break you out of your normal routine. One thing I’d suggest holding onto is your workout routine. Not allowing yourself to compromise your health and well-being during the holidays will keep you feeling sharp. It will keep your energy up and help you power through all of the holiday activities with ease. Also, you won’t feel so bad when you indulge in the holiday treats you will be inundated with.
Give yourself permission to enjoy the treats of the season.
Like I said up above, unless you’re prepping for a body building competition, enjoy the little treats and sweets that will be floating around this holiday season. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll be fine if you keep your diet on an 80/20 ratio. The 80/20 ratio is, keep your diet as clean as possible 80% of the time and you’ll be fine. The 20% of the time can be holiday party meals, additional happy hours and ordering out/delivery when you’re too tired to cook. During this time of year, if you have to dip a little below 80% and get a little off, that’s alright. You’re maintaining your gym sessions to keep you from feeling too many negative side effects. Your positive habits that you’ve built up to this point won’t be shaken by a cookie, or eating out a few times. So, don’t be too hard on yourself, enjoy some sweets and just be mindful of not over-indulging and/or letting your healthy habits become undone.
Enjoy a night out or a festive cocktail, but don’t over drink.
Holiday parties and happy hours will mean it’s inevitable that you’re going to be drinking more frequently. Again, this isn’t going to make you lose all control if you keep it in check. If you go out and just have a couple drinks, you probably won’t notice any added stress or anxiety on your body. Staying in the sweet spot of a few drinks, avoiding hangovers, and staying in control will avoid a case of the hangover induced “holiday-scaries.” My problem was always drinking in social settings with friends and family I haven’t seen for a while, so it was very easy for me to lose control and over-drink. This would cause massive anxiety for days afterwards, which is a huge reason I just quit drinking completely. I’m not saying to go bone-dry sober, but, remaining in control and being responsible will undoubtedly keep your stress and anxiety at bay this holiday season.
Be ok with saying no. Stay in. Keep taking time for yourself.
Although I’ve hammered the point home that you’re inevitably going to be packing your schedule with more events, the power in knowing when you need some time to yourself is key. Try to achieve this by planning the next two weeks ASAP. Schedule times that are strictly for you. Take time to meditate, to pray, to express gratitude out loud, and to hold space for yourself. Taking time to slow things down and to come back to yourself will make the other moments this holiday season that much sweeter. Setting intentions for yourself and what you hope to experience at your events. Be present. Listen to yourself. Holding space for yourself will always enhance your ability to show up for others.
To sum it up, don’t get caught up in the current of the sweeping holiday season. It can be a powerful time of year that can undoubtedly heighten your stress levels. But, by remaining mindful of your positive habits, remaining aware of what you’re putting into your body, you can have a more enjoyable holiday season. Indulge in the sweets and enjoy cocktails with friends and family, laugh, snuggle up and watch Home Alone for the 500th time by yourself. Whatever you choose to do with your time, be mindful, and allow yourself permission to fully embrace and enjoy the holidays. Keeping your habits in check will keep that negative, self-sabotaging voice inside your head in check as well. This will minimize your stress levels while maximizing your enjoyment and fulfillment.
Wishing you all the very best throughout the holiday season 🎅🤶🎄🎁
