The holidays can be overwhelming, from the party planning down to the present shopping; this warm and heartfelt time of the year can become stressful. We did some research and asked our employees to help us come up with some tips and tricks to de-stress, making your holiday the way it’s supposed to be- enjoyable.

 

1. Do things “Uno Alla Volta.” Among the long and overwhelming list of things you may have to do during the holidays, we advise you to slow down and do things one at a time or uno alla volta. Zoning in on one holiday activity allows you to enjoy and live in the moment, making amazing holiday memories!
2. Get active! Exercise is scientifically proven to release endorphins and clear the head, ridding you of all your stress. During the holidays, a walk in the winter wonderland outside may not only relieve you of stress, but allow you to treasure the beauty of this time of year.
3. Prepare meals ahead of time. This is a good idea for busy weeks all year long; take one day to plan out and cook. You can freeze these meals and heat them up throughout the week, allowing you more time for your holiday priorities.
4. Get cozy and indulge in a hobby at least once a week. Whether you’re a book worm or a movie buff, allow yourself one day a week to cozy up on the couch, with a favorite snack or holiday drink (like hot cocoa). Take the time to indulge in something that comforts you, allowing yourself to forget about all the things on your to-do list and just appreciate the movie you’re watching, book you’re reading or music you’re enjoying.
5. Laughter is one of the healthiest ways to create endorphins and let go of stress. Find the humor in moments, good or bad.
6. Music. No one knows why, but music is something that everyone enjoys. So when your mind is racking up a list of things to do on your drive to go pick up the kids from practice, turn up the tunes! Whether it’s holiday music or one of your favorite artists, singing along and jamming out to a song of your choice is a guaranteed way to relieve stress.
7. Get sleep! Holiday stress can build up, affecting the amount of sleep you get- which in turn, only adds to your stress. Getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night is a great way to rid you of some of that holiday stress. Having trouble falling asleep? Do some breathing exercises which you can find here or go over the events that happened in your day.
8. Get organized! It has been proven to help reduce stress, whether it means color-coding your closet or cleaning out your car- being productive and making sense out of chaos will help rid you of all that holiday stress!
9. Remember: You are perfectly imperfect. Sometimes things fall apart and don’t always go as planned. Take 15 seconds to breathe, re-group and find a simple, easy solution.  You’re only human, no one expects you to be perfect!
10. Take Pictures. Do you have any special family holiday traditions? Take pictures! Pictures are a great way to capture memories, making each moment special… Whether it’s on your phone or using an actual camera, you’re guaranteed a smile every time you find those fun and happy moments from the holidays.