Simple Holiday Stress Busters

By Lisa Jones

This is a stressful time of year. Sure, it’s festive and joyous, too, but many people feel a money crunch, time stress and family pressures. It’s easy to claim that massages and spa days will fix what ails you, but we don’t have to throw money at our problems, do we? Here are some frugal alternatives to beat the holiday blues and keep things simple.

Leave
Go for a walk. It’s getting chilly, but just bundle up and get out there. Even a few minutes of fresh air can help your circulation, clear your head and get you re-connected to nature.

Give
I always feel better about my own situation when I am able to get out of my own head and help someone else. Volunteering or just doing something thoughtful (like baking cookies for a neighbor) brings an abrupt end to my pity party.

Drink
I mean tea. There is just something really soothing in a good, warm cup of tea. With so many decadent flavors, taking time to just sit and stare into a teacup has given me great perspective on any number of annoyances. Add to that the medicinal purposes of many types of tea, and you might just fix that sore throat or upset stomach, too.

Move
Exercise of any sort will decrease stress. Yoga is my favorite; I think the benefits are endless for mind, body and spirit. The best thing is that you can do it at home without fancy equipment. Don’t worry if you are clumsy and not flexible, just check out some yoga websites  and try a few gentle postures, like a Sun Salutation.

Write
Writing is my outlet. I can’t tell you how many angry letters I have written to people, complete with outlandish accusations and inventive usage of swear words. I find that once I write it out, it becomes unnecessary to send it. It’s saved a few relationships, too.

Laugh
This is a bit of the “fake it ’til you make it” philosophy. Laughing reduces endorphins, lowers blood pressure and stress hormones while increasing immune function. Plus, it’s definitely infectious. Get a little help from that hysterical book, movie or friend and enjoy a giggle fit.

Eat
I know you want to eat ice cream; buckets and buckets of ice cream. However, choosing foods that are good for you—like fruits, veggies and whole grains—will make you feel better about yourself and will help your body process the stress it is feeling.

Purge
I get really stressed when my environment is cluttered. When it takes me 15 minutes to find my purse—I am far from peaceful. Carving out some time to organize my home and get rid of anything I don’t need, pays off big time.

Om
Meditation has been the most effective way I’ve found to deal with my stress. Everyone thinks their mind is too busy for meditation, but something really changes when you take just a few moments to breathe and become aware of the present moment. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it. If you want a little support, check out a mindfulness group. In Charlottesville, we are lucky to have several meditation organizations, such as the UVA Mindfulness Center and Insight Meditation Community.

So, let’s just take a deep breath and we’ll all make it through this joyous season in one piece.

Lisa Jones is a freelance writer and a yoga fanatic with a serious travel addiction. You can find more from Lisa at her blog Just here. Just now.