6 Ways to Relax During the Holidays

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are fast approaching. Soon you will be entrenched in the business of gift shopping, cookie baking, wine tasting, and social mingling; all on top of what you already do on a day-to-day basis…but how will you relax during the holidays?

Don’t let the quick pace of the upcoming holiday season dampen your spirits. Instead, take steps to energize yourself, and reduce your stress and anxiety. Give yourself time each day to fill your cup, so you can drink in the season, and better enjoy the fast-paced holiday fun in ways that are good for you and your soul.

My promise to you…

I will provide you with a top-six, low-to-no-cost, heart inspired “Re-Energize Me” list that infuses you with a dose (or two) of high-vibe, stress-busting ways to graciously float merrily through the holiday season.

This isn’t your typical, hum drum list of ideas like exercise more, get plenty of sleep, eat better, or go outside (even though these ideas have merit and value). This is a more immersive way for you to tackle the holiday crazies to supercharge your mental and emotional well-being.

1. Create a Joy Board

It doesn’t have to be big, just a regular sheet of paper will do. Fill it with words, or pictures that you write, draw, print, or cut out of magazines. Jam pack it with things that light your soul, bring a smile to your face, or make you laugh. Give it color and sass. When it’s done, put it somewhere you’ll see it in the morning or at night. Take a picture with your phone. When you’re out and about and start to feel frazzled, take 30 seconds to soak in the picture of your joy board. Focus on the picture YOU created. This is your on-the-spot way to lift yourself up and chase the overwhelm away.

2. Read a Book

Not just any book, but one that offers you ways to lead a happier, more satisfied life: Heart Inspired Living fits the bill perfectly. It’s a quick read with 21 ideas to help you effortlessly raise your vibration and welcome more of the “good stuff” (like happiness and satisfaction) to your life. Added bonus…this is a great gift idea not only for you, but also for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.

3. Throw Your Scale Away!

Ok, maybe don’t throw it away but shove it under the dresser, or place it in the basement. Put it somewhere that you don’t see it. Or…dress it up. Wrap it with some festive paper, and a stunning bow. Make it look too beautiful to use. The idea is to shelve the whole “gotta weigh myself” mentality for the next 6-8 weeks because measuring yourself against the number that comes up on the scale is one of the quickest ways to stress you out and bring you down. It’s okay to relax during the holidays, enjoy the treats without feelings of guilt or dread. And who knows, after all is said and done, you may find that the holidays were kind to your waistline.

4. Save Inspiring & Uplifting Affirmations on Your Phone

Affirmations powerfully transform your subconscious thoughts from limiting, hold-you-back thoughts to ones that fill you with more inspiring and uplifting beliefs. Affirmations are strong positive-minded statements to help shift your peskier negative thoughts to more empowering thoughts.

Maybe one or all of these will resonate with you:

I see challenges as ideal opportunities for me to learn more about myself and my strengths.
I willingly release my fears and let go of my worries, even if it’s for ten minutes.
I choose to relax and am grateful because well-being and peace surrounds me.
I believe in myself and my potential.
Each and every one of my cells is constantly regenerating and radiating light, bringing me a sense of calm and balance.
I draw on my limitless source of inner-strength to keep moving forward.
Doors to new possibilities are opening up to me at every moment, I just need to be open to seeing them.

After you record your affirmations, and when you begin to feel drained, overwhelmed, stressed, or depleted, simply press play, and let your affirmations melt your heaviness away.

5. Get Your Inner-Child Free-Spirited Move On

It’s no secret, the holiday season can be frazzling. One way to relax during the holidays and combat the burnout is through movement. Movement is magically freeing. It improves your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It relieves stress, boosts your energy and can be exceptionally fun. I know I promised that this would not be a hum-drum list filled with the same old suggestions (like traditional exercise – ew). The movement I’m referring to is full-body movement that flows effortlessly and spontaneously from within you. It is your playful inner-child coming out. There are no reps and no required amount of time to keep doing the movement. The only rule of thumb is, do it as long as it feels fun and right for you.

Some possible ways to incorporate free-flowing, bubbling up from within movement are:

Dance while washing dishes or cooking.
Throw your hands up in the air and circling around and around for 10-20 seconds, careful, don’t fall. For added effect, be sure to throw your head back and have the biggest and brightest smile on your face.
Belt out the songs on your “pick-me-up” playlist like you’re performing them in front of an adoring crowd of 25 thousand cheering you on.
Chair dance.
Car dance.
Make funny faces.
March around the house instead of walking.

6. Create a Foolproof Pick-Me-Up Playlist to Lift Your Spirits

Music is healing and has the ability to improve your mood, and reduce your stress. It is a tool at your disposal that you can use to help elevate your soul to higher vibrations of positive energy, love, and pure joy. Music snaps you into the here and now, and drifts negativity into momentary nothingness. So get to it, create a playlist with 3-5 songs that absolutely inspire you.

These are six possible ways to keep you feeling energized, and reduce the overwhelm and stress that may creep up on you during the holiday season. Taking time each day to fill your cup will raise your vibration. Soon enough, you will discover that you are better able to enjoy the beauty of the holiday season. Cheers!