Merry Christmas everyone.
I hope everyone is staying cozy at home with good friends and family around. This holiday seemed to be bustling with lots of people running around and while it is time of the year that should be filled with slow, quiet, moments. Generally those seem to be lost in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, parties, cards, cooking, while also maintaining our work schedule. Many times the holidays can be even more stressful than day to day life. Here is a 10 day plan to help you de-stress after the holidays.
Day 1: Create space for yourself… don’t schedule anything for one whole day. Not even social activities. Give your body and mind time to rest. Don’t get out of better before 9am, relax and allow yourself to just melt in your sheets and think of all the things that you are grateful for. Take some time to journal and do some leisure reading. Try not to turn on the radio or the television. Give yourself space for quiet activities that will help you reflect and get ready for the next 9 days.
Day 2: What does your social support system look like? Many times when we are stressed it is helpful to reach out to people we care about who can lend an ear. Take time to reflect on who are the support people in your life. Try to schedule a weekly walk, tea, lunch with that person or people. That way you have something scheduled every week that supports you in a healthy way. Also pay attention to people who are energy drains on you. Who after spending time with you feel depleted rather than energized. Try to limit the time you spend and talk with these people.
Day 3: Stretch and Breathe! It is amazing what even 10 minutes of stretching can do for your body. If you have time go to a yoga class and try to go at least once a week. If you don’t have the time, just take 5-10 minutes a few times a day to stretch and move your body. If you feel stressed, take a deep breathe and focus on your breathe.
Day 4: Get out in the sunshine. 20 minutes in the sun will help keep your spirits up. Serotonin levels increase when you’re exposed to bright light and it helps prevent depression.
Day 5: Get a massage. Even if it is a 15 minute chair massage. Massage will help you reduce your stress levels and calm your nerves. Touch therapy is also very calming to the body. Many times we can go days without touching someone else. Exchange massages with a spouse, friend or co-worker. If that doesn’t work make it a weekly routine to get a chair or table massage.
Day 6: Go on a date with yourself. Light some candles and plan a night where you do something that you enjoy that is just for yourself. Maybe it is a hot bath, taking a steam, reading a good book, talking on the phone with a good friend, watching your favorite sitcom. Put on some music and dance! Make this a night to celebrate you!
Day 7: Laugh. Research shows that when you laugh feel good endorphins are released into your system that boost your mood. Watch a funny movie, read some jokes, go to a comedy club, or just laugh with your friends. I recently tried riding the unicycle with my boyfriend and we both laughed and laughed. Now when I need a boost I go outside for 10-20 minutes and practice riding the unicycle.
Day 8: Declutter a room in your house. It is amazing how much stuff we accumulate. We will sometimes forget we bought something because it gets stuffed away in a corner never to see the light of day. I find that having too much can be suffocating. I have to make a conscious effort to keep my house clutter free. I constantly have a donation pile that I am contributing to. Start with your closet. If you haven’t worn something in a year donate it, give it away or host a clothing exchange party. Everything that we keep that we don’t use is stagnate energy that can stifle us. Start small and work your way up.
Day 9: Stop rushing and take the scenic route. Many times we drive to work and we are on auto pilot for most of the day. Try to take a different route to work, through the neighborhood. Road rage can easily spike your stress levels early in the day, try to avoid the busy highways. Give yourself extra time so you are not rushed. It is actually nice getting to work or an appointment and having an extra 10 minutes to just relax.
Day 10: Congratulate yourself for making a small changes for your well being and health. Take the last day to reflect on what are some things that you can do on a daily basis to help you manage stress from today forward. Write them down to remind yourself what you can do to self soothe when you find yourself stressed. Maybe even create a mini mantra. Which could be just one word that you think of when you are stressed. You just keep repeating that word. Mine has been Peace. Yours can be anything that feels good to you.
Here is to you living a better life for yourself and those around you! Happy Holidays.
Sharon
