21 De-Stressing Strategies that will Transform your Holidays
Orlando Therapist Providing Strategies to De-stress this Holiday Season
To de-stress is to release bodily or mental tension. Or, as the young ones may say these days… to chill out. It’s often difficult to relax or remain calm during the holiday season when there is often so much on your plate (not just food), like hosting family for a few days, preparing dinner, and giving (both monetary and time).
As an Orlando Therapist whose area of skill is in anxiety management, I have gotten to know many techniques that my past and present clients use to unwind. This week, I am going to share my top 21 ways to de-stress this holiday season, that will help transform your holidays this year (and every other year).
Get yourself into a Positive Holiday Mindset
Accept Imperfection. If your children aren’t posing just as you imagined in your holiday photos, does that mean the photo is ruined? Or has a new, beautiful moment of your family just been captured?
Don’t lose sight of what really counts. Is the focus of your weekend that your house is all decked out with the latest Christmas decor or is it to enjoy quality family time?
Keep your regular routine. This allows consistency, helps you continue to do things that make you feel good, and avoids feelings of shame and guilt like when you’ve eaten dessert for the 3rd night in a row or drank too much at the office Christmas party.
Eat healthy. Here is a list of 10 foods that help ease anxiety and stress.
Focus on the present. Being in your old town, with old friends or family, can remind you of the person you used to be. Remember all the work you’ve done to get where you are today and focus on that.
Do a small act of kindness. This can help redirect you back to your values, what is most important to you, and help you not lose sight of what really counts this holiday.
Get it Done
Make a date with a bestie. Do errands together, that way you can be productive with great company.
Make a to do list with all your tasks. Group like tasks together so you are maximizing your time. Add your engagements to a calendar that you check daily. Putting everything on paper often helps you to let go of the thought without worrying about forgetting it.
Outsource. Hire a cleaning company to come to your house for a deep clean? Hire a babysitter? Get the gift wrappers at the mall to wrap your gifts for you.
Ask for help. If you’ve bitten off more than you can chew this holiday, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Make Christmas dinner a potluck or have your partner pick up the children from school so you can have some peaceful gift shopping time.
Get Physical
Dance party. Solo or with company. In the kitchen or in your bedroom. Whoever you’re with and wherever you are, dance the stress out!
Exercise. Hit the gym or turn on your home workout even if you only have 20 minutes, any bit counts.
Take a walk outside. Breathe in some fresh air and get your body moving. Whether you go on an hour walk in the forest or a 15 minute walk around your neighborhood you are still getting your body active in fresh air.
Laugh! Take the opportunity to be silly. Go to a local stand up comedy show, or watch your favorite show’s bloopers on youtube. Get those giggles out!
Take Moments of Self-care
Take yourself out for a facial, manicure, or pedicure. Indulge in some relaxation to ground yourself. If you’re on a budget, get a face mask from your local drug store and a new color of nail polish. DIY spa day will still do the trick.
Focus on Gratitude. For the last 3 weeks I have been talking about Gratitude with Attitude. Essentially, it is being grateful for what you have in life. Gratefulness sets your mindset to positive and therefore leads to happiness!
Meditate. The biggest benefits of meditation are reduced stress and anxiety. Put on your comfiest clothes, get yourself into a quiet room, and follow my guided meditations to calm your body and mind.
Journal. For some people, being able to write all their thoughts on paper is a great way to release the energy they hold in their mind and body. If you need some help getting started, check out some of these great journal prompts.
Read a book. Reading can help bring your focus elsewhere and offer a little escape of the stressful feelings that may be brewing inside you. Try to find a book that has a good storyline opposed to a self-help book (for the purpose of de-stressing) you want to be able to escape.
Drink tea. It is a simple way to unwind after a long day, it is great alone or with a partner. At the end of the day, try making a hot cup of tea for you and your partner and ask them about their day. The small connection between sipping on some hot tea and taking interest in your partner can go a long way to help you stay grounded this holiday season.
Take a bath. Set the mood for yourself to release the tension in your muscles. Run yourself some hot water, add in some bubbles, light some candles and play some slow music.
Aromatherapy. A natural way to relieve stress and anxiety this holiday season. For the most benefit, add essential oil into a diffuser or place some diluted drops onto your skin. Some of the most effective scents to help relieve stress and anxiety are Lavender, Jasmine, Chamomile, and Rose.
These are 21 common strategies to de-stress over the holidays. You may have to try a few before you find the one that works best for you; you can even try combining a couple of strategies together for an ultimate de-stress session. For example, you could go for a walk, take a hot bath, then make a hot cup of tea and sit down to read a book. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
Let’s keep this list going! Let me know your all-time favorite de-stressing strategies in the comments section below.
Want more ways to de-stress?
Anxiety Therapist Shares: Gift Ideas for People With Stress and Anxiety
Mindfulness and Meditation Apps
21 Ways to Reduce Anxiety During the Holidays
Orlando Therapist Available
When you’re ready, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult here.
Mindful Living Counseling Orlando is a trauma healing center. Our Orlando Therapy Services include anxiety therapy, trauma counseling, eating disorder recovery, teen counseling, and healing from toxic relationships. At Mindful Living Counseling Orlando, we use a down-to-earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talk therapy so clients can heal at the root level and experience lasting change. Feel free to access one of our Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.