04 Dec Handling the Stress of the Holidays this year.

Posted at 22:51h in Health, Lifestyle by

We all know life can get a little stressful around the holiday season and  I don’t know about you but I think this year with a Pandemic to deal with it is more important than ever to get in front of all that can stress us out.

In the past years holiday stress was often about all the pressure around buying presents, parties, increased family time, or travel.   But that may not be the stressors this year.  This year it could be isolation for some, and for others the stress of loss of income and economic issues.  For others it could be some grief at loss of family members and friends and/or being apart from family.   Wherever you find yourself this holiday season it is well known that our best course of action is to fall back on whatever makes us feel grounded.  For many of us a first line of defense from stress is eating well, exercising and getting out in nature.

Here are some other health tips you can incorporate into your routine to help reduce holiday stress so that you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

  1. Stick to your vitamin routine.It can be easy to skip a day or two during the busiest time of the year. If you forget to take your supplements for the day, simply take one as soon as you remember. Nutritional supplements can be even more important during the holidays when our normal routines are disrupted. Set a reminder on your phone to remember to take your vitamins daily.  If you do travel be sure to take your vitamins on the go with a travel vitamin case. Vitalizer strip is great and super convenient for travel.  I also keep Stress Relief which is always my go to nearby or in my purse for an easy grab.  Shaklee’s Stress Relief Complex helps relax the mind and body and promotes alertness all while helping the body’s ability to adapt to stress. It contains ashwagandha a traditional herb used for hundreds of years to help the body adapt to stress.
  2. Get a workout in where you can.Whether you’ve got 10 minutes or 2 hours, make time to get your sweat on. You will reap the benefits of your increased endorphins.  I work out with a trainer via zoom and I found some great YouTube®  yoga classes I can do right in the privacy of my own home.
  3. Reach out to those loved ones who keep you grounded and help you destress. Stick with them.Identify who in your family or friend group makes you feel most comfortable and most like yourself and  then make plans for zoom or phone calls if you can’t be with them.
  4. Say no thank you to some of the toxic behaviors brought on by holiday foods and be smart about holiday eating. Listen to your body and mind. All things in moderation. Pick your favorite foods and food rituals and really enjoy them in small doses, and then make sure you don’t have that moment that you spiral out of control using food. We all will need to indulge a little in holiday favorites but  I know personally I need to plan ahead by being aware of my triggers; so do what you can to make sure you are maintaining a healthy, balanced diet for the most part; and identify when you can allow yourself a holiday favorite.  I like to try and follow the 80/20 rule.
  5. Breathe and remember what the holiday season is about. This time is meant to be filled with joy, spreading cheer, and being thankful. So often when things feel out of control, we forget to take a few minutes to stop and breathe. In moments of anxiety, overreacting, overindulging, or trouble falling asleep, I  practice my meditation and then there is this breathing technique you my find helpful in a pinch. First empty your lungs of air. Then breathe in quietly through your nose for 4 seconds. Hold your breath for a count of 7 seconds. Exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a “whoosh” sound for 8 seconds. Repeat this 4 times and you’ll be feeling back to your grounded self.
  6. Journal.  This is something I am leaning back on more and more. Write down daily what you’re grateful for in your phone or in a journal, and anytime you feel anxious, take a peek.

 

Practice these simple steps and then try and and enjoy the season!