The Holiday Season is one of the happiest times of the year. But for many of us it can also be one of the most stressful, especially this year. Take a moment before all the chaos begins to check out our Top 10 Holiday Stress-Reducing Tips.
Top 10 Holiday Stress-Reducing Secrets
1. Breathe deeply and enjoy the moment
No matter how stressed out you feel over the holidays, taking a few deep breaths throughout your day will bring you back to the present moment. Don’t waste precious time thinking about the past or worrying about the future… enjoy today!
2. Take a daily walk
Walk in the fresh air whenever you can – not only is it good exercise, it’s one of the best forms of stress management. Try to walk briskly at least 30 minutes each day, preferably in the sunshine – it helps boost Vitamin D levels and your immune system. Take time during the weekend to walk with your honey – holding hands reduces stress-levels even more.
3. Shop online – avoid holiday crowds and traffic
We all know how stressful crowded shopping malls can be, especially during the busy holiday season. Add to that the pandemic, traffic and hassles of finding a parking space and it’s easy to see why more people are shopping online in the comfort of their own homes. Find great bargains online and look for free shipping.
4. If entertaining, remember KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Have a Holiday Pot Luck so you don’t have to do all the cooking yourself. If on the other hand you enjoy doing it all yourself, plan your menu and shopping ahead of time so you’re not stressed out over waiting until the last-minute to get things done.
5. Do something fun for yourself
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed during the holiday season, so make time to do something you enjoy just for yourself – take a yoga class, ride your bike, play golf, watch a sports game, indulge in a spa treatment, read a good book, watch a video, listen to your favorite music, play a video game, take a bath by candlelight… you get the idea.
6. Get together with friends for a virtual Holiday Season Zoom happy hour or a movie
This is one of our favorite things to do. You may want to try the new Disney+ streaming service. They have a GroupWatch feature that allows you to watch movies with a group, even when you’re apart.
7. Meditate
You can practice meditation anytime, anywhere – lying down, sitting, standing, walking… even in traffic, waiting in line, at your desk or in a meeting. Just a few minutes of meditation a day can help calm your mind and reduce stress. Research shows that even 10 minutes of daily meditation reduces the physical symptoms of stress, which boosts immunity. There are many ways to meditate – we like mindful meditations (focusing on the breath) and tranquil walking meditations near the water or out in nature. Watch video below, listen to the waves breaking on shore and enjoy your 90 seconds of Zen.
8. Volunteer
Take a moment to be thankful for all the blessings in your life and do something for others. If you have the time and the inclination this holiday season, volunteer at your local food bank or homeless shelter. It’s a great way to give back to the community.
9. Secret Santa or Kids-Only Gifts
Keep your costs and holiday stress-levels down – opt for a Secret Santa (randomly pick a person and anonymously give a gift) vs buying everyone a gift. Set a limited budget (no one spend more than $10). It’s a great way to save money and be creative over the holidays with your family, friends and business associates. Another option… just buy gifts for the kids.
10. Learn to say “no”
In this stressful 24/7 multi-tasking world, it’s hard to relax and unwind, especially during the holidays. Learning to say “no” can be extremely freeing – you don’t have to do it all.
We hope these tips bring you all a Happy, Healthy, Safe and “Stress-Free” Holiday Season!
What are some of your Holiday stress-reducing tips?
