The holiday season always has a fun and electrifying buzz in the air, but it can also be a stressful time for many. Between hosting family dinners, attending office parties, and finding time to shop – it can leave little energy or time for taking care of ourselves. To help you breeze through the holidays and make the most of it, here are our top 5 ways to kick holiday stress this year and every year.
Make Time for Yourself a Priority
Rule number one: You can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself. Too often we think of personal, self-care time as being selfish. But in fact, it’s the opposite. Taking time to recharge and recuperate from life is important, especially during this hectic time of year when you’re constantly on the go. So start by carving out some time each week, to relax, put your feet up, catch up on your favourite book, and give your mind and body some relief. You’ll be twice as productive because of it.
Stay Active
Snow, ice and slush aren’t exactly motivating for getting us up off the couch. But staying active is a key factor in combating stress. Exercise curbs anxiety and releases endorphins which make us feel good. A simple way to keep yourself disciplined to stay active is by joining a class. Find something you enjoy so you can form a healthy habit out of it.
Eat Well
Though the holiday season is all about indulgences, try to balance it out with healthy eating as well. Eating a wholesome diet full of rich greens, nuts, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits also helps to combat stress, boost our immune system and energy, and keep our health in check. Having a meal plan or finding a few good crockpot recipes can help you stay on track without dedicating too much time during this busy season. And, when it comes to those holiday treats, try to set a limit to one or two “bad” items per day.
Take the Stress Out of Shopping
When it comes to shopping, maybe switch up the gift-giving tradition by donating to a charitable cause this year instead. It will teach the kids a valuable lesson about giving to those in need. It’ll also make it less stressful since you won’t have to spend time and money running around a busy mall.
Ask for Help
Whether it’s tackling the shopping list, grocery list, cleaning or organizing dinner, ask for help. There’s no reason why you should be handling it all on your own. So don’t forget to summon your spouse and kids to pitch in and help. If you’re hosting Christmas dinner this year, ask relatives to bring a dish or two. They’ll be thrilled to contribute, and it will take tasks off of your plate so you can sit and enjoy it.
There are many helpful ways to curb the stress that often comes along with the holiday season. Sometimes, changing up habits and traditions, or asking for help is worth it if it’s becoming too hard and unenjoyable juggling it all. And if part of that stress is finding a new place to call home, contact us at CLV Group. We can help you find the perfect place throughout Ontario and Quebec, hassle-free.
