What favorite childhood holiday memories come to mind during this time of year? Mine include trudging through the snow with my dad, looking for the perfect Christmas tree to cut down; smells of baking cookies and holiday spices, making holiday treats with my mom; looking through Christmas catalogs and circling all the toys I wanted to find under the Christmas tree. As adults, the holidays might demand something more from us- the pressure of cooking a big family meal, purchasing presents for everyone on your list, being overwhelmed by family gatherings- the list goes on. How can we manage the extra pressures and stress the holidays may present this time of year?
We can start with some simple steps. These include breathe work, calming baths, exercise, and mindfulness.
Breath work: Take a deep breathe in, hold it for four seconds and slowly release it. Doing this several times can put our nervous system back into a relaxed state. Calming bath: Take an Epson salt bath or foot soak. Epson salt contains magnesium which is relaxing to the body. Many people are deficient in this stress-relieving mineral. Exercise: Move your body. Exercise helps move stress hormones more quickly out of the body, boosting mood and energy. Mindfulness: Set time aside every day for meditation/mindfulness/prayer and expressing gratitude, fostering hope and happiness.
There are several ways to turn stress into a positive 1) Acknowledge the issue: notice when you are stressed, and what that feels like in the body. 2) Welcome the stress. Reaffirm that these sensations are a positive response to a situation that you care about. 3) Use the energy from the stress instead of spending time trying to manage it. Reframe your situation. Instead of “My heart is racing and I’ll never be able to get it under control,” step back and think, “Isn’t that interesting, my heart rate is increasing. My body must be mobilizing its resources to make sure I perform at my peak.” This enables you to be less reactive to the stress that you’re experiencing. The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It, by Kelly McGonigal
Learn what you can control and let the rest go.
Have a great and safe holiday season!
-Kathy Swelstad, NTP