Happy November, everyone!
As we enter the month where holiday planning and festivities really start rolling, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by (even just the thought of!) all of the the hectic moving parts and get-togethers. So what better time than now to start incorporating simple stress relief tactics into your daily life—the kind that will help keep stress at a minimum so you can better kick off the holiday season feeling relaxed, inspired and joyous!
Although stress has seemingly become as much of a holiday tradition as Grandma’s famous cookie recipe, it is important to remember that stress is nothing to take lightly—no matter what the season. The fact of the matter is that the current leading cause to most of our illnesses is STRESS related, and the numbers prove it:
In the US alone, there are more than 63 million diagnosed with some type of anxiety disorder
1 out of 4 women and 6 million men will be diagnosed with clinical depression this year—a component of stress
Folks, the stress-induced way of living is simply not working.
Yes, it can be scary to stop the wheel of madness. I have personally hit the wall 3 times in my own life, and it took the third time to recognize that I was living at a pace that was not my own. I was working so hard to live up to everyone’s expectations—including my own—that I was wiping myself out. I came to realize, however, that each one of us is designed to walk or run at our own pace.
It’s never too late to take the steps to acknowledge and accept that the pace in which you are living your life may very well be sucking it right out of you. With that in mind, here are 7 easy-to-follow steps toward your recuperation from daily stress (during the holidays and beyond)!
Step 1 - Stay Hydrated:
Water balances the fluids in your body and actually helps to keep stress levels down by reducing Cortisol—one of the main stress hormones that goes up when we get dehydrated. Keep drinking your water!
Step 2 - Deep Breaths:
Deep breaths bring fresh oxygen to your brain and the rest of your body, and with one, a natural relaxation response is initiated in your body—including decreased heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension and feelings of anxiety. My recommendation is to stop and take 3 to 5 deep, slow breaths the minute you feel stress moving through your body. According to the American Institute of Stress, deep, long breathing is the best stress reduction step you can take.
Step 3 - 5-10 Minute Walk Outside:
This is your opportunity to let go. Let all the mind chatter and the to-do lists go for just a few minutes. Walking outside is the perfect place to focus on your deep breathing. Take your attention out of your head and instead focus on the highest quality of fresh air flowing deep into your lungs. And when you exhale, release the stress from the inside out. Nature is a natural stress reducer, a natural energizer and overall good thing.
Step 4 - Give a Hug, Receive a Hug:
When was the last time you asked for a hug? Studies have shown the more we experience human touch on a daily basis, the better we feel and the longer we live. In fact, everything from a gentle touch or compassionate hand, to the simple act of hugging has been shown to relieve stress. So ask for a hug, share a hug and feel the stress melt away!
Step 5 - Gratitude:
Think of 3 things you are grateful, and write them down or speak them out loud—acknowledge your gratitude in whatever way works best for you. Allow the gratitude for your job, your children, parents, house, feet, sight, the water you get to drink, etc. overcome you! With each thought of gratitude, you will increase your overall well being and open yourself up to waves of relaxing, soothing and joyful emotions and feelings.
Step 6 - Laugh, Let it Go and Lighten-Up:
I used to work in the beer business, and when things got really stressful around deadlines and such, we would reminder each other this is just beer, not brain surgery. Sometimes our minds want to make it more than just beer and build it into something bigger. When this happens, try to let it go and lighten up. Letting the little things in life pile up to be something big makes it much harder to let go. So start with now—what is causing you stress that you have no control over? Lighten-up and enjoy as much of your life as possible—and laugh often!
Step 7 - Love Yourself:
I always say, no matter what is going on in your life, even the mistakes, love yourself through it. Through the ups and downs, stop beating “you” up and love yourself! It can be one of the hardest acts to do, but by and far, it is one of the most important. Just do it!
With light and love,
Aimée
