How to Stay Calm in the Holiday Season

by Suzy Stichbury December 12, 2016

They holiday season is upon us, and as much as it is “the most wonderful time of the year”, stress during this time is pretty much inevitable. Staying calm during this time of the year is never easy, but before you decide to call off the holiday season altogether, there are some ways to make it through this time without completely losing your mind.

Read on for some of the best ways to stay calm and keep your composure even when it seems you are coming undone.

Schedule Breaks

With the seemingly never-ending lists of to-dos this time of year, you may wonder where in your busy holiday schedule you will ever find time for a break. Don’t forget, there are still 24 hours in each day, and taking just 15 minutes (preferably 2 or 3 times a day) can make all the difference. Schedule your breaks in with your to-do list and use this time to truly take a break. Make a cup of tea, sit in front of the fire, read a chapter in your book, look at a magazine…do anything that isn’t related to the holidays. You’ll refresh your mind, recharge your batteries, and be able to tackle that to-do list with ease.

Eat Well

Okay, while this may seem completely impossible during this time of year, it is vital to keeping your cool. Sugar and sweets tend to multiply in great abundance during this time of year, and we often use this as an excuse to skip on healthy eating habits. Not only are there more treats to tempt us, but our lack of time and endless to-dos make eating a couple cookies much easier (and tempting) than stopping to eat something of sustenance. Snack on lean proteins, fruits, colorful veggies, and raw nuts to give your body what it needs and keep your energy levels high. Not only will you have more energy, but less sugar will keep your mood level as well.

Exercise

This is something many of us blow off during the holiday season. Seriously, who has time to hit the gym between the million and a half other things we have to do? Luckily, we don’t have to even go to the gym to get some exercise during the holidays, and taking just 20 minutes a couple times a day to get your body moving will help keep stress at bay and keep your mind calm. Baking goodies? Take the 10-15 minutes your treats are in the oven to do some squats right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Keep a yoga mat accessible at all times so you can fit in a few sun salutation sequences in between wrapping gifts or writing your holiday cards. Going shopping? Park as far away from the mall entrance as possible and walk the extra steps to your destination.

Spend Time with Loved Ones

Spending time with the people we love makes us feel good. During the holidays it’s easy to forget how important these special bonds really are. We feel pressured to get all we need to do done, and often skip out on seeing those we love the most. Spending time with friends and family will give you the much-needed break from all your responsibilities, put a smile on your face, and bring you calm in the midst of chaos.

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