11 Ways to Ease Stress and Feel Better Over the Holidays

The holiday season is meant to be the most wonderful time of the year. But it can feel challenging to maintain a happy disposition during the busyness of the holidays.

Even if you enjoy the energy of the holiday season, sometimes the added hustle and bustle can lead to feeling worn down and stressed out. Then we have the added stress layer of navigating the holidays through the impact of a three-year pandemic.

If you are looking for ways to combat stress and feel good over the holidays, here are 11 strategies to help you feel your best.

#1: Limit Screen Time

Instead of opting to scroll through endless highlight-reels on social media, make this be the season of nurturing the connection you have with yourself and your loved ones.

If you find yourself feeling lonely or bored, don’t turn to your phone for comfort.

As Mark Twain wisely said: “Comparison is the death of joy.”  You won’t find comfort in comparing your real life, with other’s highlight-reels. It’s simply not realistic.

You may however, find comfort in nurturing the connections you have with the special people in your life. It is also comforting to unplug from your devices and get outside in nature, get lost in a good book, or get an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

Take a break from your devices this holiday season and see how it feels.

#2: Don’t Skimp on Slumber Time

A good night’s sleep is like magic. When we are sleep deprived, holiday stress can feel beyond amplified.

According to sleepfoundation.org, “sleep is a vital indicator of overall health and well-being.” Go here to check out their downloadable recommended sleep times chart.

Sometimes a solid night’s sleep is exactly what we need to hit the restart button and experience our holiday season from a fresh perspective. Arianna Huffington’s book, The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time is a wonderful resource to inspire us to change the way we view our relationship with sleep.

Getting regular sleep this time of year is a consistent way to help reduce stress. It’s much easier to start the day fresh, with new perspective, when we are feeling rested and recharged.

#3: Fuel Your Machine Properly

Your body is your most valuable asset, treat it well. Much like we wouldn’t put soap in the gas tank of a car, we shouldn’t be consuming food that is processed and filled with chemicals and junk.

The holiday season can lead to eating more sweets and unhealthy snacks, especially if we feel like we need more comfort than usual. It can be challenging to make healthy choices.

I like to follow the 80/20 rule. Aim for 80% of the time making healthy choices, like whole foods that are alive and nutrient dense. The 20% is reserved for my favorite holiday treats.

The idea isn’t to micromanage every aspect of life, so it isn’t fun anymore. It’s more about understanding that how we fuel our bodies makes a difference in how we feel. Moderation is key.

When we feed our bodies nutritious food and clean water, it makes a world of difference in how we feel. When we feel good in our bodies, it’s so much easier to maintain a bright disposition.

#4: Give Back

If it’s within your reach this holiday season, spend some time being in service to others. Give back to your community (locally or globally), even if you can’t do it in person this year.

Some ideas include: local food banks, schools, hospitals, animal shelters, or a global cause you are passionate about.

There is nothing more heartwarming than being in service to others and knowing you are giving back to others truly in need.

Giving without expectation of anything in return has a way of giving your mind a break from worrying, and instead directing your time and energy where it can make a positive impact.

#5: Wear Your Smile

Smiling is a universal language that expresses the true spirit of who we are. It is the same regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. Everyone wearing or receiving a smile shares an understanding of what it means, and has the opportunity to be affected by it.

Smiling spreads positivity into the world. There is something about smiling that creates an instant feeling of lightness and happiness.

Having a keen awareness of the benefits of smiling could be enough for some people to wear one regularly. However, during the holidays, life can get busy with a lot of rushing around. It can become second nature to get swept up in tasks, to dos, and endless thoughts. The urge to smile and feel light can be forgotten. This year, share your smile as much as you can. It will feel good.

A happy demeanour is contagious and is not only a gift to others around us, but also a powerful gift to ourselves. When we feel happy and light, it’s much easier to feel good about ourselves and have positive interactions with those around us. The simple act of smiling is a wonderful way to practice being happy in the moment and loving the life you are in.

Give it a try all throughout the holiday season and see what happens when you wear your smile.

#6: Shelf It

Save heated discussions until after the holidays, if possible. Instead, give yourself permission to completely shelf the issue (without feeding it) until after the holidays.

If it still feels like an important issue after the holidays, then deal with it then. My bet is, it will be long forgotten, or you will shine different perspective that isn’t as emotionally charged.

#7: Less is More

This year, more than ever, most of us have become used to the idea that less is more. We can view this less is more approach as a gift we are giving each other. Instead of feeling the pressure to make up for lost times and attend all the things, go for quality over quantity. It won’t be like this forever, so enjoy the moments you are in as much as you possibly can.

#8: Love the Ones You’re With

If you’re blessed to have at least one special person you can connect with you over the holidays, slow down and take that time in.

There is nothing worse than finally settling down with your loved ones, and filling that time with distraction, instead of connection.

Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, give them the gift of your full undivided presence this holiday season. Put your phone to rest, or make sure it’s out of reach. Listen more and talk less.

Take in every moment with your loves.

#9: Limit Trimmings and Trappings

Save yourself some time and financial stress. Limit trimmings and trappings and spread your unique cheer instead.

For the love of all things, don’t buy what you can’t afford just because it’s Christmas. That isn’t an act of love. It’s not kind to yourself, the landfill, or your gift recipient.

Energetically, it’s much kinder, to be joyful and spread well-wishes to others around you. Instead of stretching your wallet past what is comfortable, opt to give homemade gifts, acts of service, or donations to a worthy cause, if that’s within your reach.

The best gift I’ve ever been given is a year’s worth of car cleaning (inside and out) from my husband and sons. Every weekend they clean my car. It’s the gift that keeps giving, and I love everything about it.

Think outside of the box (literally) and come up with some gift ideas this year that feel as good to give, as they will to receive.

#10: All Things are Temporary

Remind yourself, as often as you need to, that all things in life are temporary, and that includes the holiday season. The reminder that this too shall pass is powerful.

When we are stressed, it can feel like we are in the eye of a storm, without a way out. This is when deep intentional breathing can become your lifeline. If you feel your stress levels elevating, breathe your way through and see what shifts.

Wherever you are:

• Take a deep, intentional breath in, hold for the count of 4 and then focus on exhaling slowly.

• Repeat as often as necessary until you quiet your mind a little and feel more grounded.

• Then shift your narrative. If your story is: I am anxious, angry or frustrated. See what changes when you say to yourself: it is okay to experience anxiety, anger, or frustration etc. They are just experiences. The same goes for joy, abundance and excitement. All feelings are okay. This little reminder can help take the edge off and ease the feeling of being swallowed by your current state.

There is peace and acceptance in noticing that nothing lasts forever. Our holidays will come and go. We can make the most of our moments. If those moments don’t feel great, we can find comfort in knowing that this too shall pass.

#11: Let Gratitude Help You See

If all else fails, connect inward and see your life through the eyes of gratitude. Instead of hyper-focusing on what you can’t do, or what you still have left to do, bring it back to basics.

Name out loud what you are grateful for: one thing you can see, one thing you can touch, one thing you can hear, one thing you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

Don’t let the stress of the holidays cloud your view of what’s most important in life: the gift of being alive on this amazing and colourful journey.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

❤ Emily

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