5 Ways to Deal with Holiday Stress

This is an easy time of year to overburden ourselves.  I was thinking about all the additional things I was putting in my schedule: holiday parties, baking, decorating, gift purchases and holiday dinners.  This list, of course, is in addition to my everyday obligations with work and my home life. I decided in order to really enjoy the holidays and spend time with my family, I would only schedule things that really mattered to me and I would not worry if the holidays weren’t perfect.  When my holiday decorations came down from the attic, I looked at all the boxes and decided that is was not important to put out every decoration and that it was ok that my outside bushes did not have lights. I decided to take some time for myself with the 5 ways to deal with holiday stress listed below.

5 Ways to Deal with Holiday Stress

  1.  Breathe. Does this sound too simple? It is simple, but, it works.  Stand up with your feet flat on the floor.  Place you hand on your stomach, take 5 deep breaths, and feel your stomach go in and out while you breathe.
  2. Develop a spiritual practice. Throughout the holiday season, try to spend at least 5 minutes every day in a spiritual practice. Try meditation, prayer, inspirational reading, or some time in silence. The important point it to practice it consistently.
  3. Humor. A good laugh does our soul good.  Watch a funny movie, read cartoons or read a humorous book.
  4. Exercise. There are many studies that show that exercise reduces stress and helps you sleep better.  At the very least, go for a walk.
  5. Gratitude is very powerful. Make a list of 10 things you are grateful for. Try to stop and do this whenever you feel stressful.

Which of these did you try?

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