Season’s Greetings! If you have a bit of time off work this holiday season, try to take full advantage of it! You’ll be glad you did. Here are some
tips to get the most comfort and relaxation out of your time off (even though the holidays can be a bit stressful).
Plan Your Holiday Now
We all know how stressful the holidays can be. In fact,
90 percent of Americans find at least one stressful thing about the holidays. For some of us, that’s because we’re trying to arrange our schedules as they’re happening! You can dodge some of this stress by planning your holiday today. If you’re hosting a holiday event this year, make sure you’re not inviting more people than your house — or dining room table — can hold.
If you’re making a home-cooked feast, start preparing your menu now, and remember to consider cook times and which dishes need the stove or oven when. You don’t want to start preparing your holiday feast only to realize you don’t have enough burners at the right time.
And, of course, don’t forget to schedule some time in for relaxation.
Take Time to Really Relax
How often do you truly get the opportunity to sit down and let go of all your worries? If the answer is “not often,” then you’re long overdue for some “me” time. Start by finding a cozy piece of furniture. If you can’t find that at home, buy yourself an early Christmas present and get that new mattress you’ve been talking about to
help you sleep.
Now, hunker down in it and take a few deep breaths. Plug in your headphones and listen to relaxing tunes, or treat yourself to a new Kindle book. You’ll be amazed at what just an hour of relaxing over the holiday weekend can do for your stress levels!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Even if you’re hosting the family get-together this year, that doesn’t mean that every aspect of the holidays has to fall on your shoulders. If you’ve ever hosted before, then you understand the stress of too many people asking for too many things. Recognize that it’s okay to ask for help.
For example, you might ask family members to plan to bring a dish for dinner – don’t forget to coordinate though so you don’t end up with
everyone bringing the apple pie! That way, you free up some space in the oven while reducing your workload and stress.
Take a Breath
Seriously. If the holidays stress you out, practice deep breathing exercises to ease your anxiety. You might perform these exercises early in the morning before you take on holiday duties, or you can sneak a deep breath or two in private. Inhale for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, and then exhale for five seconds while breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. It may sound silly, but
it really helps!
Turn Up the Tunes
If you’re in the full-fledged holiday spirit, you might already plan to crank up the holiday tunes, but if not, put it on the agenda.
Music has been shown to influence mood, and that can mean wonders for stress relief. If you’re looking to calm your nerves, choose a soft, slow song. Otherwise, you might opt for upbeat tempos to keep the family in a happy mood and promote excitement (avoiding arguments).
Avoid the Coffee if You’re Anxious
While you may typically need a cup of coffee to wake up in the morning, you may not need it during the holidays if you’re already anxious about the festivities. That’s because caffeine is an excitatory substance. However, if your nervous system is already hyped up on hormones and neurotransmitters thanks to your nerves and anxiety, adding the coffee to the mix can only make you jumpy and irritable.
Treat Yourself to a Massage
A
hands-on massage is the perfect way to relieve your stress this holiday season. If your family is coming to town, book an appointment with some of your favorite people you haven’t seen in a while. It will calm the tension of your get-together while helping you and your family bond. Be sure to book an appointment well ahead of time since you never know how many people will have the same idea during the holidays! If you can’t afford a professional massage, find other ways to pamper yourself, like with a nice hot bubble bath.
Engage in Your Passion
Most of us have passions. Many of us are really good at never taking the time to pursue those passions. If you have a long weekend this holiday season, use your extra time to read a good book, write a story, build something, or do whatever suits your fancy. Not only is your long weekend the perfect time to spare a few hours for an activity you love, but engaging in your passion will help reduce stress and boost your mood!
Disconnect
It’s the holidays! Your employer will understand that it’s your time off to spend with your family. Your friends will get that you need a break every now and then. And that guy who keeps sending you spam email? He doesn’t matter anyway. So shut down your computer and stash your phone away. You don’t need it during the holiday weekend.
Unless you need to contact people about holiday plans, there’s no reason to turn to your devices as the emails and social media drama will only stress you out. Encourage your family to do the same by bringing out interactive board games or suggesting a game of tag football in the backyard to truly connect with your family and take a break from your everyday stressors.
While the holidays can be a stressful time, they can also provide you with the time and opportunities you need to relax. Prepare for the holidays ahead of time and plan for relaxing activities, and you and your family will enjoy the new memories you’re making. How will you relax this holiday season?
