Ways To De-Stress Around The Holidays
As much as we love the holiday season, it tends to get stressful and can take it’s toll on you and your family. Here are some ways that I have found to help combat that stress and get you back in the true Christmas spirit!
- Give your child(ren) a huge bear-hug. Simple yet effective, and it works every time!
- Think of other ways to show appreciation for someone besides spending money on them — you can cook them a favorite meal, make them a special card, babysit their child for an evening, etc.
- Volunteer, be it at a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, nursing home, whatever, because helping others is a main part of Christmas and it makes you feel good as well! Give the gift of charity to those less fortunate; even if it is small it is still needed and appreciated.
- Donate some of your family’s old toys and clothes, and/or buy a toys for tots gift or a shoebox present for a service member. If you teach your kids to give at a young age, it could turn into a positive lifelong habit.
- Read a favorite book as a family, and if time permits read a little bit each night. It can be a holiday book, the Bible, or any beloved reading material that is meaningful to you. This can begin a memorable family tradition, and it’s a calming way to end the day.
- Get and/or give a massage, depending on where in your body you carry your stress and whom is assisting you. Cheaper than getting a professional one, and you can always return the favor. I for one prefer a foot rub, but no one wants to rub them, oh well (:
- Have a nice cup of tea, or a favorite beverage of choice. I am recommending a warm drink to combat the winter chill in the air, but to each their own. Green tea is great because not only is it full of natural antioxidants but it is also an appetite suppressor — double benefits!
- Remember to breathe, in and out, nice long deep breaths, ahh that’s better. This can be especially tricky if attempting to figure out how to accommodate all of your guests, planning the “prefect” holiday meal, or while trying to shop during this season (see the second tip).
- Get some fresh air and sunshine — find something outside to do, or just put your face in the sun for a couple minutes, get that Vitamin D! Just 10 minutes meets your daily requirement, but I read that the majority of Americans do not get as much is this essential vitamin as needed.
- Along those same lines, get physical — hit the gym, take a walk with the kids, ride a bike, as long as it gets you moving. If it gets your heart rate up, even better!
Please add onto the list! Happy holidays!
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