The holidays are in full swing, and it’s easy to get swept up in the madness. With more responsibilities, obligations and general chaos, you may feel burnt out from holiday stress and unable to enjoy the time with the ones you love most. Don’t let the season pass you by in a blur. Here are a few self-care tips and the best CBD for holiday stress to help you soak up all the magic during the jolliest time of the year.
Take a Moment to Be Thankful Each Day
Even though the holidays are a time to be thankful, we often become weighed down by the negatives: overbearing relatives, busy shopping centers, endless cooking, the list goes on. But just as quickly as you can pinpoint the unfavorable parts of the holiday, you can also find one thing that makes you grateful each day.
Positive thinking boosts your mental and physical health by increasing the “feel good” hormones in your body, like serotonin and dopamine.
Remember to Say No
Work functions, gift exchanges and other festive obligations can make you feel overbooked and stressed. Rather than showing up and being a scrooge, remember that you are allowed to pass on some of these opportunities to get a few things done or to just take some time for yourself.
Move Your Body A Little
Skipping your workout + holiday stress = a recipe for disaster.
Your laundry list of “to-dos” may make you push your gym time to the side, but that shouldn’t be the case. Exercise is a natural holiday stress reliever during arguably the most stressful time of the year.
Even taking a 10-minute walk or doing some light yoga stretches can boost your mood, concentration and overall health through the busy season. Your body will thank you for it.
Hit the Snooze Button
Holiday parties and late-night preparations take a toll not only on your sleep schedule but also on your weight and attitude. Turn in a bit early to get a good night’s rest and even sleep in when you get the chance.
Balance Your Eating
The best part of the holidays – aside from family, of course – is all the delicious treats awaiting you. Nevertheless, indulging 100% of the time will only decrease your energy and lead to inevitable winter weight gain. Focus on eating healthy meals a majority of the season when you’re not actually celebrating.
Breathe
While breathing is essential to life, we rarely focus on deep, mindful breathing. Whenever you feel your anxiety rising, slowly inhale through your nose, envisioning your stomach filling with air. Then, take a long exhale through your mouth, completely pushing all the air out of your body. Repeat this exercise for about two minutes.
Practicing different breathing techniques can boost focus and concentration, decrease holiday stress and bring you relief in stressful moments.
Stay Present
Don’t get caught up in the things that went wrong this year or worry about what the next year will bring. Stay in the moment and bask in the charm of the holiday season surrounded by those you care for. You’ll form more vivid, long-lasting memories by taking in moments in real-time.
Set Aside Time for Yourself
It’s the season of giving, so return the favor to yourself. Set aside time each day to do something you love, whether it’s exercising, meditating, journaling, creating or anything else that brings you joy.
