10 Ways to Reduce Stress This Holiday Season
Are you feeling run down? Last minute shopping have you stressed out?
All the running around, the baking, the wrapping, the driving and holiday get togethers; they can all take their toll. Here is a great guide to getting through the holiday season with a little less stress this year.
- Get active and get outside! – Both sunshine and exercise are great stress relievers! If the cold doesn’t bother you, great! Take the kids out to play, have a jog with the dog. Not keen on the lower temperatures? In-door activities like the gym, yoga and a UV lamp will also help! And load up on vitamin D!
- Get adequate rest – Sleep is very important for your mood and stress levels! Make sure you are getting at least a full 8 hours sleep to deal with the extra stress this time of year. Having trouble sleeping? Try meditating before bed and natural sleep aids like Melatonin, 5-HTP, Lavender (aromatherapy), Bach Flower Rescue Sleep or Calms Forte.
- Be present, do less - Opt for more time with family and friends, rather than making everything perfect. Find time to laugh and play. You don’t have to be all things to all people. Martha Stewart didn’t have a day job, a house to clean and kids to get to school everyday. Schedule less and feel ok about saying no to some things.
- Don’t have family near you? Host an orphan potluck holiday gathering! - Chances are you know more people than you think who are alone for the holidays, and potluck means the work and cost is shared!
- Ask for help! - Many hands make light work! Do potluck events rather than one person taking it all on. Get the kids involved with age appropriate tasks, getting the older kids to help the younger ones. This will also make the kids appreciate the effort that goes into the meal, and teaches skills that are useful later in life!
- Unplug! - Take time away from email and social media when spending time with friends and family. Turn off your phone so that you can be truly present and reduce the stress of constant notifications.
- Honey, honey! - Switch out the sugar in your coffee or tea for honey. It is naturally sweet, and has anti-bacterial effects that can keep you from getting sick! Sugar suppresses your immune system for hours after it is consumed. Nothing increases holiday stress like coming down with a cold or flu when you have shopping, wrapping and baking on your list, and you have to spend a few days in bed!
- Take a vacation! – Vacations reduce stress! If you can’t afford to go somewhere warm? Take a stay-cation. Got kids? Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle would love an extended visit over the holidays! Or even a day outing so that you can get a little holiday prep done!
- High anxiety? – There are several homeopathic remedies that are great for anxiety! Aconite is great if you are going away and are afraid of flying. This can also be combined with Arnica afterward for the emotional trauma. If you or your child are nervous about a holiday performance or speaking engagement, Argentum nitricum can nip it in the bud! Tilia Tomentosa gemmotherapy remedy is a nervous system modulator and helps to reduce stress levels and aid sleep. And, don’t forget Bach Flower Rescue remedy! Available in drops, spray or pastilles. Keep in your purse or bag and take as needed or if you are expecting a particular stressful day, put a dropper full in bottle of water and sip over the day to maintain a calm and reassured state of mind. And see #10 below.
- A relaxing holistic treatment – Treat yourself and your loved ones with a holistic treatment. It will reduce stress for you, and for your family members. Massage, acupuncture, reiki, reflexology are all great to reduce stress! Seeing a homeopath to talk out your stressors and get an individually selected homeopathic remedy can help you to mediate stress better in the short and long term.
Happy Holidays!
Dillena Dillen, Reiki Master