December 12, 2021
Relieving Holiday Stress
The holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year. Who doesn’t love indulging in the season’s best foods and checking out the Pine Canyon neighborhood covered in a fresh blanket of snow? But between social obligations, shopping, and celebratory meals, it can also be stressful. It is imperative to prioritize some stress relief into your busy schedules. Here are a few ways you can go about it!
Exercise
Yes, exercise. We get it, the last thing you want to do after days of family and friend gatherings filled with food is hit the gym. But it’s one of the best ways to both stay in shape and manage your stress during the holidays.
We understand travel can complicate things, but in today’s day in age, you can access any at-home workout from just about every online platform there is.
Limit Social Media
There’s an overwhelming amount of information that we have access to right now. Not only do we see it on our TVs, but now we’re seeing it through our social media feeds.
When you’re stressed, stay off social media. As much as we love staying connected to our members on social media, we want what is best for them and their loved ones when it comes to their mental well-being.
This holiday season, spend more time looking into your loved one’s eyes than staring at your screens. Hold hands, not video game controllers. Choose human connection, joy, and laughter over likes and retweets.
It’s OK to Say No
The holidays are all about being with loved ones, so it can be easy to overlook yourself in all the commotion. If you’re feeling stressed, don’t be afraid to say no and spend some time on yourself. Your self-care can be anything, so whatever it is, enjoy the moment and reconnect with yourself.
Get Outside
If you and the family are feeling a little overstimulated by the hustle and bustle, you may want to pull on your winter gear and head outside. Studies say that spending time in nature (and we’ve got plenty of it) can reduce your cortisol — otherwise known as the stress hormone — levels. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of spending time outside, you can reap some of the benefits.
Mindfulness
Instead of getting caught up in everything you need to check off the holiday list, take some time to focus on what you’re doing right now. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is, “the state or quality of being mindful or aware of something.” Simply, it means taking time to focus your attention on the present — the smells, sounds, sights, and feelings around all around you.
No matter where the holiday season takes you this year or for years to come, make sure you bring a stress-relief strategy along. Pine Canyon isn’t just a place, It’s a Refuge for the Human Spirit.