While many of us look forward to this time of year, holiday cheer can often be eclipsed by the absolute frenzy that accompanies the holiday season.
Victoria Calderone
How to Keep the Holiday Season Stress-Free!
It’s the holiday season…A time to gather with family and friends to enjoy the festivities the season brings. While many of us look forward to this time of year, holiday cheer can often be eclipsed by the absolute frenzy that accompanies the holiday season.
Extra traffic, endless shopping, a packed-out calendar; the stress can easily add up. This can make the holidays seem like more a chore than a celebration. If this sounds like you during the holidays, try to implement these tips into your daily routine this season. You’ll feel less overburdened with stress, and able to embrace more of the true joy the holiday season brings.
Wake up with the sun: Winter months may mean dark evenings, but they also mean a natural alarm clock in the mornings. Keep your curtains slightly open to let natural light seep into your room to wake you up, giving your body and mind time to get prepared for the day ahead.
Take time for tea: It’s one of the best ways to de-stress, so keep your teapot handy and stock up with herbal teas to beat the winter blues and warm the body.
Work up a sweat:
Feeling anxious, stressed, or just downright cold? Don’t forget to exercise! Sweating it out in a spin class or finding your personal Zen in the yoga studio helps relieve stress, anxiety, and tension that can be so prevalent around the holidays.
Light the candles: Holidays are all about relaxing by the fire, but even if you don’t have a fireplace, a little aromatherapy can do the trick. Light candles or diffuse essential oils; using scents like bergamot or pine can help you de-stress.
Switch off electronics: Instead of late-night online shopping that can prevent you from falling asleep, turn on some holiday tunes and break out the wrapping paper; you’ll help your body and mind quiet down in time for sleep while checking that holiday to-do list.
Make time for friends and family: Sure, you may have a packed month full of parties with friends and family, but it can be easy to overlook the reason why you’re making plans — to enjoy everyone’s company — because you’ve double-booked and are rushing back and forth between obligations. Don’t spread yourself too thin – plan ahead and know that you don’t have to attend every single holiday event.
Eat vitamin-C rich foods: The cold-fighting vitamin is perfect for the season for another reason: vitamin C has been proven to help reduce both the physical and mental symptoms of stress. Luckily, winter foods like oranges and brussels sprouts are available aplenty, so stock up on these stress-relieving winter foods.
Make a gratitude list: ‘Tis the season for making a list and giving thanks, so combine the two and make a gratitude list to share with your loved ones. It’ll help spread holiday cheer.
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About the Author
Victoria Calderone
Victoria Calderone is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor at Fitness Incentive.