Cheer up, Santa! We have some ways to relax and unwind today. (Getty)
You can feel it everywhere you go. Last minute shoppers, holiday traffic jams and rude people… it is unavoidable. The stress that comes with the end of the year can consume all of us. Even if we did our part to try and avoid being part of the rush, sometimes you cannot help it. It is hard to stay positive and become nurturing when people are cutting you off or someone in line thinks that they are the only one who is in a hurry. We are all feeling the anxiety that is associated with the end of year “time crunch." We want to get as much done as humanly possible to get it all in. I find myself a victim of this holiday madness dealing with writing deadlines, trying to make time for family and attempting to spend time with my friends before they leave for the holidays. In short, it's just plain stress. I find that it is absolutely imperative that we make the time for ourselves to stay grounded.
Here are some steps you can take to heal that holiday stress before you get to the edge:
Take A Bath: We do not take advantage of this enough. We sometimes take baths for granted. During the times when I start to feel overwhelmed I make it a point to do it at least once, even if it's for 10 minutes. I don’t think there has ever been a time when I told myself, “Darn, I wish I hadn’t sat in that nice warm tub for that long.” It always makes me feel relaxed and energized.
Get a Massage: This is a good thing to do often. A nice long hour massage can work wonders when you're feeling stressed. Try doing some aromatherapy or using ayurvedic oils to achieve a deeper relaxation.
Find Stillness: Pause for a moment, this is a great time of the year to take 5 minutes to just sit in stillness, focus on your breathing and just notice the world around you. Maybe you sit at your desk and turn off the phone and shut the computer. Just a small moment can help you feel at ease and give you a little boost so you can move through your day.
Listen to Music: Listen to something soothing. I would say it’s not the best time to listen to music that makes you aggravated, especially if you’re in traffic. So it may be best to listen to Rage Against the Machine once you are in the comfort of your own home.
Sleep: This is the time when you find it most challenging to sleep, or perhaps you are not getting enough. Try to shut it down before you're getting ready for bed. Turn off the computer, turn off the cell phone and turn off the television. Eliminating things that can hinder sleep will allow for a more enjoyable bedtime.
I find that the biggest stressor we all have is the “time” factor. We never have enough time, or at least if feels like we don’t. These are the best moments to stop and take breath, ground yourself and remember that our stresses can only get to us if we allow them to. Take a moment for yourself, remember that this is the time of year to celebrate and be grateful for what we have. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy holiday season!
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.