Stress-less Holiday Tips

Have you ever noticed that despite your best wishes, the holidays often turn into times of stress? It seems like the holidays just add more stress instead of the happy times we envision- there’s crowds, shopping, decorating, cooking… in excess!

This is an invitation to step back and relax. My wish for all of us this holiday season is that we will be filled with joy. Let the season bring “tidings of comfort and joy” and “peace on earth” starting within ourselves and in our homes.

Simple Tips for a Simpler Holiday

Here are a few holiday tips to help you relax and refocus.

+Sip some tea. Companies like Celestial Seasonings offers yummy holiday teas. They include spices like peppermint, cinnamon and ginger that help digestion, immunity, circulation and warm you up. A little honey makes them extra tasty. Watch the snow fall or the fire roar for a few quiet minutes while you enjoy your tea and reflect on the joys of the season.

+Rent or tune-in to a feel-good holiday movie. They often cue us in to the real meaning of Christmas and fill the airways this time of year. Snuggle up with the family and some hot chocolate Stir in some marshmallows and a peppermint candy for an inexpensive, decadent treat.

+Bring an attitude of gratitude to your holiday chores. As you shop and wrap gifts, think of the receivers and offer thanks for them. Focus on something you appreciate about them. As you decorate and bake cookies, give thanks for your home and food and those who will enjoy all you have done.

+Do those activities which bring you and your loved ones joy and see if you can eliminate some of the others. Why experience holiday stress by doing too much and spending too much when it often is unnecessary? Everyone will enjoy a few activities richly lived, more than many done hurriedly in stress.

+The holiday season is a great time to perform random acts of kindness. Let a harried mom get in front of you in line. Turn off the TV and play with your pets or children. Smile at the salesclerk. Everyone, including you, will feel better for it.

+Enjoy your favorite holiday scents. Natural scents that trigger happy memories reduce stress and give you the chance to “relive” joyful moments. Try vanilla for a feeling of well-being (and to reduce cravings!) and the uplifting oil of pine. What smells better than pies and cookies baking in the oven or a fresh Christmas tree? Aromatherapy candles and potpourri can help you enjoy these scents throughout the season.

+If you are tempted to buy a young child an expensive gift that will stress you and the family budget remember that children often leave these gifts under the tree while they enjoy many hours playing inside the big cardboard box that packaged it. Sometimes the most enjoyable gifts are the simplest. And when you play along, they are always the most favorite.

+Share traditions and stories with your family and friends. Children and adults love the feeling of connection and continuity that comes when we share the familiar in our lives. We often sit around the table at Christmas telling stories from our past that we’ve all heard before and hope to hear again.

Here’s wishing you and yours all the joys of the season. We’d love for you to share your favorite holiday tips and traditions in the comment section.

To learn more about how stress affects your health and lots of helpful tips for dealing with stress, visit the Holistic Mindbody-Healing Natural Stress Relief Primer