The holidays can be tough, and we often forget what they are
truly about… We get so wrapped up in the stress of it all.
Here are some of the simplest ways to decompress during the
holidays.
1. Have a bath
Nothing beats a nice hot bath to calm your nerves and sooth
your achy muscles.
Adding essential oils to your bath water can also help you
to relax - throw in a bath bomb for its moisturizing oils and calming essential
oil.
SexBomb Bath Bomb by Lush Cosmetics uses jasmine, clary sage and ylang ylang.
They are powerful aphrodisiacs that are known to relax you as they warm your
heart and other body parts too. Soya milk makes the water milky, softening your
entire body as you enjoy a luxurious soak.
If you are more of a shower person, SayYes to Carrots Body Wash is for you!
It gently cleanses, nourishes and revitalizes the skin, leaving it
feeling clean, fresh, moisturized throughout the day.
You'll feel amazingly
refreshed, revived, and radiating a natural, healthy glow!
2. Don’t be too hard on yourself
We often have higher expectations of how we “should be” during
the holidays, whether it is about staying on a strict diet, or getting everyone
the perfect gift, making the “Perfect” dinner, even not having the financial
capabilities.
Don’t beat yourself up if you cheat on your diet, I bet your
mom makes the best shortbread cookies!
Definitely do not get upset if you did not have as much
money this year to splurge on costly gifts.
You can’t enjoy the holidays if you are too hard on
yourself, the things that give us the most anxiety are usually of least importance.
Remind yourself what the holidays are really about in order to
put everything into perspective.
3. Say “No”
You may find yourself saying “yes” to everyone, and then
stressed trying to get everything done on time.
Set your own limits
this holiday season - don’t do anything you don’t want to do.
Of course there may be
a few things that need to be prioritized, like saying “Yes” to a dinner at your
grandmother’s house but if each friend invites you and your amazing baking
skills to a holiday party, you might need to say “No” to a few people.. .
When your sister demands that you have 100 cookies ready for
Christmas dinner, when you have a million other things you need to do, you
should have confidence in saying “no”.
4. Laugh
A good laugh is a great stress reliever.
Surround yourself with your best friends and your favorite
family members (not the select few that stress you out, of course).
Laughing reduces a stress hormone called cortisol in your
body, and increases the release of euphoria causing endorphins in your brain.
Releasing endorphins will boost feelings of self-worth and
confidence, as well as your health and immune response.
Studies show that laughing also releases muscle tension,
helping you to relax.
Don’t take the holidays too seriously, spend time with your
loved ones and have fun!
5. Create new traditions
Creating new traditions, or taking part in the traditions of
others, can be a breath of fresh air to your holiday season.
Maybe reinventing your holiday menu is just what you need or
a special get-together with board games and snacks on Christmas Eve.
Try something new, and it might become one of your most
loved traditions!
6. Ask for a massage
Ask someone you are comfortable with to give you a back rub
(or foot or hand) to release some of the tension that has built up in your
body.
If you have some essential oils on hand for aromatherapy,
dilute a few drops in oil (such as olive, coconut, or almond, etc.) and have a
friend use that for your massage.
Relaxing essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and ylang
ylang are easy to find in local health stores as well as grocery stores, and
are always good to have around.
Human contact and touch can be incredibly soothing
physically and mentally.
7. Get some Rest
It may seem impossible at times, but a nap here and there
might just be what you need.
Try to get a nice long sleep in at night; being rested makes
a huge difference in your overall mental and physical health.
Having energy is very important.
If you are not getting enough sleep at night, it is most
likely contributing to your high stress levels.
Before bed try not to think too much about the things that
you have to do and the people you have to deal with, clearing your mind before
bed will help you reach a relaxed state to fall asleep.
Listen to relaxing music, breathe, and/ or meditate. Do whatever you can to clear your mind and
get a restful sleep.
How do you relax during the holidays?
Jennifer Linklater
"Beauty is more beautiful when it is on the inside"