Relieve Stress During The Holidays
Depending on whether you are single or your family, the holidays can bring out s lot of emotions and stress. So how can you relieve stress during the holidays? The holiday season is supposed to be about wonderful traditions and making beautiful memories. However, there can be unpleasant family members or maybe you’re grieving a family member. There are many things that can cause stress during the holidays.
Here are some ways you can relieve stress during the holidays and maintain positive energy and good vibes;
Practice mindfulness
One of the best ways to relieve stress during the holidays is to practice mindfulness. Mindful meditation helps with stress and anxiety. Try simple breathing exercises when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Take time to listen to music as you take a walk and decompress. There are many ways you can practice mindfulness. When you’re faced with a stressful situation just take deep breaths or take a walk or even work out. Do whatever it takes to calm down. Don’t let people affect your positive aura.
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Manage your expectations
We all have certain expectations when it comes to the holiday season. It’s very easy to get caught up in our expectations. You may want a perfect holiday season but you have a family member who always gets on your nerves. Manage your expectations by not having any expectations. Things have a way of working themselves out. Just do your best and the rest should fall into place. Projecting our expectations on other people can cause a strain in the relationship. If you want a perfect holiday you might also want to limit your time on social media to avoid the pressure that comes with it.
Prioritize
The holidays come with their fair share of responsibilities and tasks. It’s very important to prioritize and remember the holidays are all about spending quality time with your family. Prioritize your tasks, who you spend time with, and the events you attend. Take time and assess what’s important to you. You can’t do everything and neither can you impress everyone. Prioritize to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Make Time For Yourself
It’s okay to choose you during the festive season. The festive season has always been about caring for others, buying them gifts. However, make time for yourself, take care of yourself first before you take care of others. Making time for yourself every day will ensure you don’t get burnout, it allows you to recharge, decompress, and relax. You can include it in your morning routine or your evening routine.
Say No
Remember to take care of yourself during the holiday season. Don’t be afraid to say no to things you don’t want to do or things that will cost you your peace. Take a timeout and spend some time practicing self-care and mindfulness. Saying no to things that consume you will make sure you don’t get overwhelmed and frustrated.
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Gratitude
Practice gratitude this festive season. Remember all your achievements of the year and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Being grateful is known to relieve stress and it shifts your mindset. Every day make it a point to list the things you are grateful for or tell someone why you’re grateful for them.
Express Yourself
Emotions have a way of running high during holidays and the festive season. Find a way of expressing yourself without giving away your power. Write it down or talk to a friend who understands your situation. Letting your emotions out is essential. If you bottle up your feelings you’re bound to explode eventually. Clear your mind by confiding in a friend or family member, alternatively, you can write it down.
Family Interactions
Most families have that one family member who is either too criticizing, never helps out, or who triggers you in one way or another. During the holidays you can’t avoid these people so find a way of dealing with them without losing your inner peace. If they are unsupportive, or critical of all your decisions you can remind them that their opinion is just that, theirs. Do it in a polite way to avoid issues during the holidays. Don’t let any altercations with them ruin your festive season. Remember, it’s supposed to be a time of cheer.
Grief
Due to COVID, a lot of people have lost their loved ones. The festive season can be particularly hard if you’ve lost someone special in your life. Allow yourself to grieve and remember them. You don’t have to participate in anything that may overwhelm you in any way.