Coping with pre-Festive Season Stress

Stress  levels begin to rise for many of us with the approach of the Festive Season.  These stresses can vary from a lack of time, financial or relationship stress, concern about what presents to buy or worrying about eating too much or about our health in general.

Usually most of the stress we experience is the stress we place on ourselves!

Whatever your spiritual beliefs, Christmas, for many, is a time when spending time with family or those close to us is most important. With the variety of Festive Season stresses increasing it is easy to lose sight of what is significant to us at this time of the year.

We need to retain the focus that spending time with loved ones and the message of peace is the real gift of the season.

However, if we can stay present in the moment (along with our lists of presents, gatherings, cards and food!), we will find the stress easier to manage, and we can do this by:

  • Using deep breathing to centre ourselves in the here and now.  This also helps us to make better decisions at a time when we can so often feel overwhelmed.
  • Do some yoga or general stretching.  Tense muscles are tired muscles and stretching releases them and improves circulation.  This mitigates and eventually eliminates the physiological stress response. It helps us to breath more deeply.
  • Stay present in the moment, instead of constantly thinking ahead.  When we are mindful we are more focussed and use our time better.
  • Include calming and adaptogenic herbs in your day such as Aswaghanda, Rehmannia, Lemon Balm and Passionflower.
  • Get as much sleep as you can to support energy and to keep the mind clearer.
  • Monitor what you are eating so that healthy food continues to make up a large part of your diet.
  • Continue to exercise on a regular basis to maintain your mood and energy.
  • Focus on the happy moments and traditions of the festive season (whatever they are for you) in order to find pleasure in how you spend your time.

 

Wishing you all Peace, Health & Happiness for Christmas & The New Year