You’ve enjoyed the wonders of the magical time of the year, with the cities decorated in celebratory lights, and festive fairs at every corner. But are you facing again the stress that comes after the holiday season? The rush at work, hectic traffic, crowded malls, and the desire to make the most of the holidays are all factors that can trigger stress and anxiety after the New Year.
As we bid farewell to the passing year, let’s step into new beginnings stress-free! With some simple, practical tips, you can let go of any troubles and worries weighing you down:
Identify the causes of your stress
Do you know what stresses you out, what triggers anxiety? How do you react to stress? When you have the answers, you can start looking for natural solutions.
Take care of yourself
Learn to recognize your stress triggers, including financial pressures or family demands, so that you can deal with them. With careful planning and a healthy dose of optimism, you can find lots of joy and peace after the holidays.
Whenever you’re feeling stressed, call a timeout and spend some time on self-care – have a cup of tea, take a bubble bath, schedule a massage — whatever it is, enjoy the moment and pamper yourself. A daily self-care routine is essential to enjoy some well-deserved serene moments.
Give the gifts of memorable experiences
Don’t get stressed by looking for last-minute gifts in crowded stores. People tend to forget the objects, but the experience remains – a concert, a relaxing massage, a day at a spa, a board game evening with friends or family – those memories last longer than the 7th sweater or the 25th scented candle.
Meditate
Meditation involves clearing mind chatter and repeatedly bringing yourself back to the present moment. Meditation increases endorphin levels and reduces harmful stress. I have been joining a meditation group online at Self Realization Fellowship. This way, I can meditate with thousands of people around the world – and that is so fulfilling. There are various types of mediation; you can surely find the one that suits your needs and personality.
Exercise
After the holiday gatherings filled with celebratory meals, the first thing you want to do is to hit the gym. Exercising is an excellent way to stay in shape and manage holiday stress.
It can be anything that gets you moving; whichever form of exercise gets you motivated – pilates, thai box, dancing, yoga – you will get many benefits. It will make you feel (and look) better and improve your physical health and well-being. You can join a group to get to know others who share similar interests in the activities you enjoy. It’s a fun way to combine exercise with making new friends.
Laugh
Research has shown that laughing can decrease stress hormone levels. Laugh every day; it’s one of the best natural remedies you can find to beat the holiday stress.
Here is a simple laughter yoga to practice each morning in front of the bathroom mirror: make the H sound followed by each vowel sound three times, A-E-I-O-U. Say it out loud: Ha, Ha, Ha, He, He, Hi, Hi, Ho, Ho, Hu, Hu, and I can assure you, in a few seconds, you’ll be laughing out loud.
Get outdoors
If you’re stressed out by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, head outside to the nearest park, forest, or beach. Spending time in nature can boost your endorphin and serotonin hormone levels, reducing your cortisol (known as the stress hormone) level.
You can squeeze in a 15-minute walk even in your most hectic schedule, either first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or when you get home from work. A short walk in nature will clear your head and help you stay in shape both mentally and physically.
Be useful
We all need help sometimes, and the arrival of the New Year is best time for lending a helping hand. The holiday season can be challenging for many people for various reasons. If you’re feeling lonely, volunteering can be an excellent way to do some good while making new friends.
Practice gratitude
When it comes to stress relief, there’s no better way than practicing gratitude. Many scientific studies show that those who consciously focus on gratitude experience better physical health and emotional well-being than those who don’t.
These are some of the natural ways to de-stress after the holiday season. Implement the ones you prefer in your daily schedule, and may you enjoy a peaceful and blessed New Year!
About the author:
Shawna Allard is a gifted psychic medium and intuitive reader, spiritual coach, public speaker, award-winning author, and founder of the Divine Knowing Institute, offering seekers spiritual guidance and insight on developing and strengthening their intuition.