With the holidays just around the corner, you already may be feeling that traditional sense of panic. Whether you are settling in for a wintery mountain Christmas in Alberta or hitting the Florida beach for the holidays, the feeling is the same everywhere.
There is no more stressful time of year than the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The pressure of being able to finish your shopping, plan your holiday party and get some time with your family and friends can be overwhelming.
The only way to truly enjoy the holidays is to give yourself a break during the chaos. Self-care is an important part of being at your best. It’s impossible to pour from an empty cup. So, if you want to be able to share the best of yourself and give your family a holiday full of great memories you need to find a few ways to take the pressure off during this busy season.
What works for you might not be the same thing that works for everyone when it comes to stress-busting. Take a bit of time just for yourself when you start to feel the pressure getting out of control and be able to keep your cool when the stress of the holidays starts to creep in.
You might just need to get out for a brisk walk or you could even explore alternative therapies through acupuncture in Okotoks or in your area. Don’t let the pressure build up to the point where you can’t enjoy the magic of the holiday season.
Exercise
Christmas is a busy season when it can be a challenge to keep up your regular exercise schedule. When you are short on time and likely to be indulging in richer foods during the holidays it’s easy to add a few extra pounds.
Getting out and getting active is an important way to help moderate your mood. The healthy endorphins that flood your body after a workout can go a long way to helping you enjoy the holidays. If you are worried about gaining a few pounds after the holidays you can stay on track with just 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Massage
When you are busy buying gifts for all of your loved ones and friends, don’t forget to treat yourself a bit. No one deserves a bit of pampering more than you do. At the height of the season when your stress levels are at their peak, give yourself a relaxing massage that can help you make it through to New Year’s.
An hour-long massage can help to restore your holiday mood and relax those tense muscles. Tension can cause irritability, headaches and even insomnia.
Aromatherapy
When you are feeling burnt out from your busy holiday schedule try to rejuvenate your senses with the right aromatherapy scent. A hint of lavender, jasmine or citrus can have a dramatically positive impact on your mood and level of relaxation.
To help you sleep after a long night of gift wrapping or party preparation you can light a few candles and dip into a scented bath to relax your worries away.
Meditation
Just a few minutes of focused relaxation and breathing can help you to stay in a good zone through the holidays. There are many factors including the inevitable family holiday drama that can make you lose your cool but, taking a few quiet minutes to yourself to get back to the center can really make a difference in how you react to different situations.
The holiday season is traditionally about giving and being generous towards our community. While that is an admirable goal, it’s impossible to give your best to anything when you are at the end of your own rope. Focus on your own health and happiness as a gift to yourself this year and face the holidays with excitement.
