The holidays can be a time of great stress for many people. There is so much to do, and it seems like there is never enough time to get it all done. Add in the fact that we are often surrounded by family members who we don't see very often, and it's no wonder that so many people feel overwhelmed during the holiday season. In this blog post, we will discuss eight healthy ways to offset the stress of the holidays and enjoy the season!
The holidays are a busy time for everyone, and it can be all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. However, it's important to take some time for yourself before the festivities begin. Getting plenty of rest and relaxation will help you to stay calm and focused when things get hectic. Plan ahead by making a list of the things you need to do and setting aside some time each day to relax. Whether you take a long bath, read your favorite book, or just take a few minutes to sit quietly, taking some time for yourself will help you to enjoy the holiday season more fully.
Physical activity has been proven to help reduce stress levels and increase feelings of happiness. It can help you control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well. Exercising, even in moderation, has its perks. Take some time out of each day during the holidays to get your body moving! You don't have to go all out at the gym or lift heavy weights to receive these benefits. Exercise doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming to be beneficial. And there are many different types of exercise to choose from, so you can find an activity that's right for you. Whether it's going for a brisk walk outside, taking an online yoga class from home, or playing a game with your family - find something that gets you moving each day so that your body and mind stay healthy and strong. Even if it's just a short walk every day, regular exercise helps to release endorphins which can help to reduce stress and make us feel better. Endorphins are pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body during activities that make you feel good.
Exercise doesn't have to be strenuous; find an activity that you enjoy and make it a regular part of your holiday routine.
So get up and get moving—your body will thank you for it.
The holiday season is often very focused on spending time with others, but don't forget to take some time for yourself! A few minutes of quiet reflection or meditation can be a great way to relax and decompress from all the hustle and bustle. Make some extra time in the day for activities like yoga or meditation, or find a quiet place where you can relax and decompress. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health during the holidays.
It's so important to make time for yourself every day - even if it's just 10 minutes. In our busy lives, it's easy to forget to take a break and just relax. But if we don't make time for ourselves, we'll eventually burn out. When we take some time each day to do something we enjoy, it helps us to recharge and feel refreshed. It can be anything - reading, taking a walk, listening to music, or just sitting in silence. The important thing is that it's something that makes you feel good. So make sure to schedule some "me time" into your day today! You'll be glad you did.
The holiday season brings a lot of extra work, like finding the right gifts and hosting parties. You can take some of the stress out of it by planning ahead and being organized. Make a schedule for everything you need to do during the holidays. That way, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and when, and you can better enjoy this special time of year. This can also help to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed, while also helping you stay on top of all the things you need to do. Stay on top of things by keeping a list of to-dos and when they need to be completed. This will help you recognize what needs to take place and when, so that everything flows smoothly.
Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated; there are plenty of simple and delicious ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet this holiday season. Eating nutritious meals throughout the day will give you more energy and help reduce stress levels throughout the day - this means avoiding processed snacks high in sugar and empty calories!
Part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is eating foods that will help keep your energy up. While there are many foods that can give you a quick boost of energy, such as coffee or sugar, these substances are not always the best for your health in the long run. Instead, it is better to focus on eating foods that will provide you with sustained energy throughout the day. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, are a great option because they are slowly broken down by the body and released into the bloodstream. This prevents spikes in blood sugar levels, which can leave you feeling tired and sluggish. In addition, proteins and healthy fats are also excellent sources of energy. Foods like eggs, nuts, and avocados provide essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. By incorporating these into your diet, you can help ensure that you have the energy you need to stay healthy and productive.
If you're worried about maintaining your healthy eating habits while traveling, have no fear! Plan to eat around the same time as you normally would to keep your blood sugar stable. If necessary, bring along snacks or an emergency stash of healthy food. And if your meal is served later than normal, try not to let that derail your whole day—have a small snack at the usual mealtime and then enjoy dinner in moderation. Another way to manage your intake is by bringing along a nutritious dish. Another tip is not to starve yourself before the event in order to 'save up' for all the food - this will make it harder to regulate your blood sugar and increases the likelihood that you'll overeat when you finally do sit down to eat. If you do find yourself indulging more than planned, don't beat yourself up over it - just aim get right back on track with your next meal.
With the holiday season comes an increase in opportunities to drink, but be cautious of overindulging. Even if you are just trying to cut back on the booze to save your waistline, the pressure of social situations can make it hard to stick to your resolution to go alcohol-free.
As Dr. Alexander Lightstone Borsand, a physician at Scottsdale Lifestyle Medicine in Arizona stated, it's notoriously difficult to stay sober during communal holidays when substance use is considered normal by most people. This is especially hard if you do not have a good relationship with your family members that you only see during this time of year. Family gatherings, financial stress or toxic environments are usually triggers that cause people to rely on old habits again.
According to Mitchell S. Rosenthal, MD, president of The Rosenthal Center for Addiction Studies in New York, emotions are some of the prime motivators behind alcohol and cigarette use. Emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression lead people to try and comfort themselves through self-medication with drugs or alcohol. Some people turn to alcohol and tobacco when feeling stressed, as they offer short-term relief. Nicotine is said to relax muscles, improve mood, and boost concentration for a brief period of time; while Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant that makes you feel calm. However, addiction quickly sets in with these coping mechanisms– posing many other dangers.
Although it may seem like alcohol can help relieve stress, it actually has the opposite effect and can aggravate anxiety. Instead of depending on alcohol to cope, find healthier alternatives such as meditation or exercise. It's important to drink moderately and stay within the recommended guidelines set by the USDA—no more than two alcoholic drinks a day for males and one for females (which equates to about 7-14 drinks per week). But that doesn't give you a free pass to chug all 14 drinks at once during a party.
The holidays are a perfect time to catch up with loved ones. Something as simple as sharing a meal or going for a walk can help reduce stress levels and create lasting memories. This is also an opportunity to rely on family and friends for support, whether you need moral boosting or practical assistance. No matter how busy things get, make sure you stay in touch with the people who mean the most to you - even if it's just through text messages or video calls.
Don’t forget to take breaks from technology - like social media or news sites - as they can contribute to elevated anxiety and overwhelm. With the world finally reopening, many people are anxious to spend time with loved ones again. Unfortunately, this also leads to more pressure on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Users feel the need to document every moment and seem perfectly happy in order to avoid appearing "negative" online. Social media pressure around the holidays can cause negative mental health consequences for some people. "Holiday social media anxiety" is the term used to describe the stress caused by seeing everyone's "perfect" festive posts online. This can include a lack of motivation to post, feeling triggered by what you see, or feeling like your life doesn't measure up.
Take some time each day to just unplug and be present. Doing so can help clear your head and make the holidays more enjoyable and meaningful.
The holidays can be a hectic and chaotic time for many people. But by taking time to practice healthy habits, you can reduce stress and make the holidays an enjoyable experience. Taking breaks throughout the day for mindfulness activities, exercising regularly, staying connected with friends and family and planning ahead are all great ways to stay healthy during the holidays. Not only will this help you keep your stress levels in check, but it could also lead to a happier and healthier holiday season.
Bonus tip: You've been working so hard recently - why not give yourself a break? Get a facial or massage! Come to Hawai'i Natural Therapy and get a massage! Massages are excellent for relieving stress and tension in your body, which can be especially useful if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious. relaxation is important, particularly during the holiday season when our schedules are so jam-packed. We offer many different types of massages here at Hawai'i Natural Therapy, from couples massages to corporate massages.
Click here to book an appointment now. We hope to see you soon!
Good luck and Happy Holidays!
