Millions of people will agree that there is something truly magical about the holiday season. However, as the year is coming to an end, our anxiety and stress levels often tend to go through the roof. If you have been dealing with holiday stress too, keep on reading. Here are five useful tips on how to create a balanced life in a season of chaos and stress, so check them out and enjoy!
Take some time just for yourself
Even though the holiday season is the most beautiful time of the year, it can actually get quite stressful, too, which is exactly why you need to take some time for yourself.
We can all agree that this season is all about giving, but you know what? Getting into it too much can be a bit overwhelming, which can lead to increased anxiety and holiday stress as a result of over-giving. This is particularly true if you already tend to commit to others too much, as the holiday season will pump up those tendencies and take them to a whole new level. So, in order to stop yourself from maxing out, both physically and emotionally, just take some time off and make it about rest.
You can meditate, read your favorite book, take a relaxing bath, watch a movie, or anything else that makes you happy. Or go to bed early and get enough sleep for the first time in a while!
Don’t wait until the last minute
Everyone knows that the last month of the year is traditionally the most hectic one – especially when it comes to shopping, decorating, and cooking. If that’s what you struggle with as well, be sure to put your organization skills to good use and start planning everything in advance.
First of all, don’t forget to make a to-do list – or a few of them, if that’ll make it easier for you – and write down everything you need to do and buy. Once you break down every single task, you’ll feel much better and more organized, which really is the key to success if you think about it.
Besides that, you should also plan your holiday budget, which will prevent you from spending too much money on stuff you don’t even need. Once you master the art of organizing your tasks, you’ll save a lot of time, money, and nerves, which will inevitably contribute to a more balanced life during the holiday season!
Stay as physically active as possible
Yes, the holiday season is the season of indulgence, which is when the majority of people tend to eat and drink a lot while cutting down on their regular physical activity levels. This is the reality for millions of people these days, and if you’re one of them, too, make sure to understand the importance of physical activity and get your body moving every single day.
Of course, we aren’t saying that you should immediately go for intense workouts at your local gym – these aren’t for everyone, so skip the gym if it isn’t your cup of tea and opt for low-to-medium intensity exercise. For example, riding a bike is always a good idea if you’re up for a low-impact activity that won’t put your knees and joints under a lot of pressure.
However, if you want to step up your cycling game and get the most out of your sweat session, you should give clipless pedals a fair shot. Once your feet are clipped in, they will stay secured in one place on the pedal, which will boost your performance and take your activity to a new level. When it comes to beating holiday stress, other low-impact activities, like walking, swimming, yoga, dancing, and many more. You won’t make a mistake whichever you opt for!
Embrace mindfulness
Embracing mindfulness is essential throughout the entire year, but it gets particularly important during the holiday season. This is when we should be content and grateful for everything that happens in the present moment. So, instead of worrying about things you did wrong or tasks you haven’t achieved yet, try to look at things from a completely new perspective and be thankful for everything you accomplished.
Besides that, you should also be grateful for spending the holidays with your friends, family members, and other people you love and cherish. Embracing mindfulness also involves enjoying the beautiful moments such as hearing your kids laugh while you’re making dinner, so enjoy those moments and you’ll see what we were talking about.
Did you know that mindfulness can also help you understand what affects you negatively and eliminate those bad influences with success? That’s right, so give it a try this season to beat holiday stress!
Create a safe place in your home
Last but certainly not the least, creating a safe place in your home is another crucial step that’ll help you create a balanced life during the season of stress and chaos. Of course, everyone wants the entire home to be an oasis perfect for rest and relaxation, but you know what? Realistically speaking, having your entire home flawlessly clean and tranquil all the time isn’t always possible, which is why you need to design at least one retreat area to hide in whenever life becomes crazy.
If you have a spare room, you can transform it into a meditation space or a yoga room. On the other hand, if you don’t have an empty room that can be transformed, you should find a peaceful corner in your bedroom or living room and get creative with it.
Adding a bunch of decorative pillows and a cozy blanket will do the trick, as well as using your favorite scented candles, so take them into consideration and you’ll do a great job!
Creating a balanced life in a season of chaos and stress doesn’t have to be as challenging as you probably thought. There are so many amazing ways to make that happen and enjoy the holidays surrounded by the people you love the most.
About the Author
Mianna Korben is nuts about health, wellness and living a vibrant, lit-up life. She’s quite the “word nerd” and uses this superpower as a writer and blogger, crafting engaging articles to inspire everyday people to be their healthiest, most awesome selves.
