How are you surviving the holidays? Do you have a love-hate relationship with the holiday season? If so, you’re not alone, and in fact if we are honest, most of us do. Even if we love 99 percent of the holiday season, that 1 percent brings stress with it. If we aren’t careful, the stress of the season can take the joy out of the holidays. Instead of just surviving the holidays, try a few of these self-care tips to keep holiday stress under control and actually enjoy yourself.
Exercise
You may be tempted to let exercise slide when the holiday season gets busy, but don’t as exercise can help you relax. It helps lower stress and improves your mood. For at least part of your exercise routine, remove your headphones and turn off your phone. Enjoy the experience, especially if you are exercising outdoors. Maintaining a healthy routine can be tough during the holidays. Why not give yourself a fitness tracker or smartwatch to help keep you on course? The newer-generation Apple smartwatches have motion-detecting hardware to help track your exercise routines. They also have improved capabilities for measuring your heart rate and pulse.
Eat Well
Don’t use the holidays as an excuse to let good eating habits fade. You can still enjoy those special holiday treats, but you don’t have to eat everything. Before you head out for an evening with friends, eat something small and healthy first. The rest of the time, try to eat healthy and don’t skip meals. Use a nutrition app to help you stay the course as you will feel better and have more energy for surviving the holidays.
Sleep
As you recover, you need your sleep. Since many of us are sleep-deprived, don’t add to the deficit. If you drink a lot of caffeine, try cutting back. The same goes for alcohol because both can disrupt your sleep patterns. If you are someone who likes a before-bed snack, stay away from holiday treats and leftovers. Rich foods are hard to digest and can keep you up at night.
Disconnect
Turn off your phone, computer, or other devices for an hour every day to let your mind rest. You may be surprised at what happens once you re-engage with the world. The holidays are full of sounds, smells, and other sensory stimulation. Taking the time to disconnect can help with sensory overload, and giving your mind a chance to rest can help bring things in focus.
Say “No”
Just as PsychCentral explains, you can say “no.” Christmas cards, cookies, and decorations; the list is endless. Give yourself permission to stop because trying to be a superhero isn’t worth the toll it takes on you. It only leaves you too worn out to enjoy the holidays. Instead, put that time and energy into your self-care.
Gratitude
Did you know that gratitude can help relieve stress and depression? Positive Psychology explains that just the idea of gratitude increases feel-good chemistry in the brain. Thinking about things you’re thankful for builds stronger positive emotional pathways, so when you’re feeling a little stressed, take a moment to list things you are grateful for.
Be Present
Practice mindfulness and meditation. Being present means experiencing the world around you in the moment. Notice the sounds, smells, and sights around you. The holidays are full of unique experiences, so take the time to enjoy them. Mindfulness techniques can be more than just silence.
The holidays can be tough, but with a little self-care, they don’t need to drain your reserves. Ensure you follow these basic essentials to survive the holidays.
Submitted by: Amy Mason, Founder of Fitness of the Mind
Amy is a survivor of a traumatic car crash that left her struggling with anxiety, depression and panic attacks. Amy is helping others in their own health journeys by creating a go-to resource including health and fitness tips for physical, mental, and emotional wellness. For more information please visit her website at: Fitness of the Mind
Amy Mason is a member of Crash Support Network and we thank her for her support.
This article is also featured in our 2019 Winter Issue of Sharing our Recovery
