Helpful Hints to Help You Reduce Your Holiday Stress

The holidays are often described as a cheerful and joyful time. But the holidays can also be very stressful. Visiting relatives, making big purchases, and attending events can be exhausting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, here are some ways to reduce holiday stress:

Get Outdoors

The holidays are a cozy time when many people snuggle by the fire and curl up with hot chocolate. But all that time indoors can be giving you cabin fever. Mix things up by taking a walk outside. If it’s snowy out, bundle up to go sledding, make a snowman, or have a snowball fight. Winter hikes are often a great way to get in touch with nature.

Try to leave your stress at home, by staying in the moment, while you take a breath in the crisp, snowy air. Seeing snow as it comes down can be very peaceful. Try to release that stress by having a bit of fun! Go out and create snow angels!

Pick up Some Citrus

The smell of an orange, lemon, or grapefruit can relax you. This is because citrus can boost norepinephrine, which improves your mood. Essential oils can provide a similar effect if you don’t have a citrus fruit handy. I always love the smell of oranges when you first peel them, and how much joy I got from eating them. As a child, we would get nuts and oranges as part of the gifts in our stocking we hung on our fireplace. Yes, I grew up with a REAL fireplace. 😀 Oh! Check out these Christmas Stockings you can Personalized with your Name! I had one that I think my late grandmother had made me, and I used it till I left home.

Say No to Help Your Wellbeing

It’s easy to say yes to everything during the holidays. But if you’d rather sit an event out, speak up and say so. Your physical and mental wellbeing still needs care throughout the holiday season. Rest is an important part of self-care. Be kind to yourself and do less. With less to do, you’ll be able to be more mindful and present at the events you do choose to attend. Holidays are a crazy time, but you still need to let others know, you have limits of what you can handle, and would like them to respect them. Oh my gosh, check out these SpaLife Holiday Treats Facial Masks in Christmas Designs! Oh YES Please! 😀

Be Grateful

The holidays can be full of annoyances. Between your loved ones smothering you and the constant craziness, it can be easy to feel irritated. Instead of getting cranky, lean in to the insanity. If you feel yourself getting annoyed, try to see things from another light. You may want to have a salad, but your co-worker really wants you to try her homemade cookies. Thank your co-worker for the thought. One cookie does not break a diet. 😉 (You can still stick with your healthy choices, though!)

Let Go of Your Expectations

It’s one thing to have standards. It’s another thing to have unrealistic expectations for the holidays. Perhaps you were expecting a better gift from a loved one. Instead, try to see the joy in what you were given. The words that come to mind is, It’s The Thought That Counts. When visiting a loved one’s home, don’t expect the holiday event to be picture-perfect. If your mom and your sister-in-law never get along, chances are they won’t become best friends around the Christmas tree. Be realistic about your expectations. And be ready to go with the flow.

Keep in mind that the holiday season goes by quickly. It’s a special time of year that should be cherished. But don’t forget to take time to be kind to yourself.
Check out this post for after the holidays – How to Relax and De-Stress After The Holidays