The holiday season can bring with it a full spectrum of festivities, celebrations, joys and blessings, it can also mean that with all of the hustle and bustle many of us will experience varying levels of stress, anxieties, sadness, and even depression. This is why it’s especially important to intentionally carve out time for a bit of nourishing self-care that can help you to feel grounded, calm, present and energized!
During this time of year there can be so much pressure that unfortunately the joy, magic, and meaning of the season is lost, and replaced with stress.
Life can be crazy during the holiday season, it can be hard to switch your mindset to slow down. The holiday season can bring out the best or worst in people.
Did you know, women are more likely to experience seasonal affective disorder. Self-care is so important during this hectic period to ward off those holiday blues. It’s easy to fall in the pattern of feeling overwhelmed.
Depression and anxiety statistics are at an all-time high in the United States, but something as simple as exercising will have an immediate effect on your brain.
Don’t rush around as if in fight-or-flight mode. Pay attention to what’s around you and focus on breathing. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer you’ll feel.
If your family is like mine, we head to multiple family gatherings. It can feel stressful to some, especially if you have little ones. If it is too much simply decline and go the next day or one family for Thanksgiving, the other Christmas Eve, and someone else Christmas Day. If you’re able to navigate doing multiple homes on a holiday and it does not stress you out, stick to it. Remember you are allowed to say no, don’t try to please everyone and lose yourself along the way.
December is an extremely hectic month for most. Holiday parties, kids holiday concerts, shopping, get togethers, etc. I can start to feel my cortisol rising just thinking about it all. But again, breathe and come back to the present.
Below are some of my tips to combat the holiday stress.
Tips To Reduce Holiday Stress.
1. Journaling
2. Meditate
3. Hot baths
4. Workout
5. Yoga
6. Accept and expect imperfection
7. Come back to the true meaning of the holidays and what really matters
8. Turn off the news and social media
9. Have a budget and stick to it. Do not try to out do your gifts from last year. Even if you have set the standards high, reel it back in and keep to your budget.
10. Take me time and stick to a self care routine.
Schedule in your self care. Make an appointment with yourself and treat it like a meeting! You don’t cancel on your boss or employees so don’t cancel on yourself
During the holidays
Take breaks from group activities. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Spend a little time by yourself if you can.
· Keep a regular sleep, meal, and exercise schedule.
· Get support if you need it. Holidays can sometimes trigger depression. Talk to a professional.
· Keep up your healthy habits.
· Stay active.
· Rest when you need to. Say NO to things you don’t want to do.
· Drink your water and stay hydrated.
Take advantage of the break from work and school and be present with your kids and family. Put down the phone and take advantage of this time.Â
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
