6 Easy Ways to Relieve Stress During the Holidays

Learn how to relieve stress during the holidays with these 5 tips.

Relieve Stress During the Holidays

Raise your hand if you deal with stress on a daily basis! I bet many of you have all kinds of stresses, including stress caused by money, relationships, health, work, and, dare I say, kids. What causes the most stress for you?

What about during the holidays? Does your stress increase then?

I know it increases for me, and I can only imagine how it snowballs for others during the very busy holiday season.

So how do you relieve stress during the holidays?

6 Ways to Relieve Stress During the Holidays

Here are 6 ways to relieve stress during the holidays:

1. Think Happy Thoughts

This might seem like a crazy tip since we’re talking about the holidays, but think about all of the times you get stressed during the holidays: planning parties, buying gifts, preparing meals, having guests in your home, driving to stores, etc. Are all of those times stress-free? Things can get hectic pretty fast, especially when you have other things going on at work or with the kids.

If you feel like you’re getting stressed during the holidays, close your eyes (not while driving, of course), take a deep breath, and think of something that makes you happy. It could be anything! You could think about your favorite vacation spot, your kids’ laughter, springtime, the tinkling of jingle bells…whatever floats your boat!

2. Relieve Stress Naturally

One way to relieve stress during the holidays is to use aromatherapy while relaxing the tension out of your muscles. Think: it’s like yoga, minus the stretching and plus soothing scents. Pinch Me Therapy Dough is just that.

What is Pinch Me Therapy Dough? It’s a pliable dough that is infused with spa quality oils. It’s very soft, and, depending on scents you prefer, smells heavenly. It comes in six varieties:

• Tropics
• Ocean
• Beach
• Earth
• Spa
• For Men

How Does It Work? When you knead the dough between your hands, you are using the muscles in your arms and relaxing them. You also breathe in the soothing aromas as you knead the dough. Both actions can distract you from whatever it is that is stressing you out.

Thanks to the generous folks at Pinch Me and Mom Buzz Media, I was sent a Pinch Me Dough to review. I chose the Beach scent because when I think of relaxing, I think of laying on a beach, listening to the rolling waves as they reach the shoreline (note: this is a memory prior to having kids…).

The dough itself feels like a super soft children’s play dough. It has a smooth, creamy texture that is pleasant to roll between your fingers. Some of the scent of the aroma can linger on your hands without being oily, which is nice because the memories brought on by the scent stays with me for a while.

I am keeping it nearby during the holidays, especially on the bitterly cold nights after a long day. I will let it take me to the beach, under an umbrella, toes in the warm sand, waves gently rolling….

Having a jar of Pinch Me Dough can help you relieve any stress you feel during the holidays! Visit Pinch Me Therapy Dough’s website to get your own*, and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! And if you know someone who could benefit from a jar of Pinch Me Dough, it would also make a great gift (think: teachers, co-workers, bosses, spouses..)! 

*From Pinch Me: Every jar purchased funds a soldier’s half day stress management training with BootStrapUSA.com. Thank you! 

3. Diffuse Essential Oils and Listen to Some Quiet Music

Speaking of aroma therapy, diffusing essential oils while sitting quietly or with some quiet music can help you relieve some stress during the holidays. 

Add your favorite essential oils to a diffuser, let the aroma fill the air, and just sit back and relax. Want a little background noise? Find an instrumental playlist on your favorite streaming service (I LOVE the Sleep Station on Amazon Music), but keep the volume low. 

4. Go for a Walk or Get Exercise

Simply going for a walk outdoors can help to relieve stress during the holidays. The combination of fresh air and your increased heart rate can help rejuvenate you to take on your next task. This can be especially helpful when you are in a crowded home with family and friends and just need to step out for a while.

Any kind of exercise can help. Don’t pick anything too strenuous (unless that helps you!) or you run the risk of injury, bringing on more stress. A Zumba class or another type of fitness class may be a fun way to relieve stress. Invite your friends or family to join you!

5. Accept help

Do you like to try to manage everything all on your own? That in itself can cause a ton of stress. Find someone to help you with your tasks.

Make a list of what you would like to accomplish. Ask a friend or family member to take on some of the tasks, like shopping for recipe ingredients, wrapping presents, cleaning and decorating your home (a good task for kids!).

While others are helping, try not to be managing how they help. No, they may not be doing things your way, but at least things are getting done!

6. Go with the Flow

You can make all kinds of lists and check them twice, but things can change in the blink of an eye. Be ready to go with the flow. All your planning may not go as…well…planned.

Instead of getting all worked up about a change in plans, go with the flow and readjust. Find ways to work around any unexpected event and make the most of what you have to work with.

What Are Your Favorite Ways to Relieve Stress During the Holidays? 

Leave a comment telling me your ways to relieve stress during the holidays!

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