Stress Relief Tips for Christmas!

With the holidays fast approaching, along with the winter solstice, our days have become shorter, and our nights longer. As a result, many of us our dealing with more stress than usual. To better manage these sometimes-crippling feelings, there are a few easy steps we can take to combat the stress of our daily lives this holiday season.

(legacyplacesociety.com)

Tip #1: Stay Active

Staying active during the winter months can be difficult. The freezing winds and snow, don’t exactly make our morning walks pleasant, but trust me, your body and mind will thank you! Being active does a lot behind the scenes, producing endorphins and chemicals in the brain that combat stress.

Tip #2: Put Yourself First

I know this sounds bad, but hear me out! This tip is about taking a step back during our most hectic hours, and being able to realize when we are doing too much. There is nothing wrong with saying no, especially when we have so much going in our lives already. Take a break for yourself, and give your body and mind a moment of peace.

Tip #3: Let it Out

This is all about getting all those stressful thoughts, out of your head. One might choose to write their stressful thoughts in a journal, or my preferred method, saying it out loud! When we do this, we can see or hear our problems directly, allowing us to confront them from a different perspective. This may lead to a quick solution, or perhaps a realization that it’s not quite as bad as you make it out to be in your head.

Tip #4: Seek Help

Last but not least, you may find your stress is just too much to handle, and when this happens, you can’t be afraid to ask for help. Suffering in silence is not the answer, and one quick phone call or email inquiry to a counselor or therapist, might just be the best thing for you! 

References:

12 tips to tame stress (2023) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relievers/art-20047257 (Accessed: 13 December 2024).

Festejo, D. (2017) Stress literally shrinks your brain, Legacy Place Society. Available at: https://legacyplacesociety.com/stress-literally-shrinks-your-brain/ (Accessed: 13 December 2024).

The Iowa Clinic (2024) Managing stress: Effects & solutions, The Iowa Clinic. Available at: https://www.iowaclinic.com/specialties/primary-care/family-medicine/the-distressing-side-effects-of-stress-and-how-to-manage-it-all/ (Accessed: 13 December 2024).