Holidays can be stressful, sometimes maddeningly stressful. Even if you are one of the lucky few who doesn’t have to cope with challenging family dynamics (aka conflicts) or precarious travel through blizzards, our own expectations can push our workload over the top. I know I’m guilty of this for sure. This year I’m going to be able to have my immediate family all together for the first time in 9 years. I keep adding on just one more thing to do for them to ensure they have a good time and hopefully help us all have beautiful memories of this visit. (I’m pretending that at no time will anyone bring up politics and that we can go the entire 8 days without acknowledging the current state of US government. Do not burst my bubble. I intend to hold on to this fantasy for as long as possible.) And on top of that I’m helping do the leg work of getting some of the shopping done for them so they have less to ship/pack in their luggage.

I’m also adding a lot on my shoulders by adopting a family in need within my community. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m very glad I did it and I truly hope it brightens the family’s holiday, but I got a family with 5 kids. Four of which are teenagers. Holy cow it’s hard enough to figure out what to get teenagers but when I don’t know them personally to know what their interests are, that really takes the challenge up a notch. Cross your fingers for me that I didn’t totally blow it.

Then I found out last year, that everyone at my new office gets gifts for each other, so that was 10 more people to add to the gift list. But the worst part of it all, really, is the traffic, parking lots, and trying to navigate through stores. So, this all leads me to my list – 10 ways to destress during the holidays when you realize you just need a damn break.

• Take the dog for a walk. (I don’t care if the dog’s been out 5 times already, they can always find something new to pee on.) Don’t have a dog? Walk whatever pet you do have. No pet, walk yourself, maybe you need to go check the mailbox, of your neighbor, maybe a neighbor on another street. (Ok, don’t actually check your neighbor’s mailbox, I think there’s laws against that)
• Go to a quiet corner (or room should you be so lucky) and meditate. If you aren’t a meditator, well you should be, trust me on this. Ok, if you don’t want to actually meditate, tell everyone you are, put the headphones on, and listen to some podcasts or audiobooks. Prepare ahead and download some stuff now to have on-hand just in case, I highly recommend comedy for this purpose. If anyone catches you LOL-ing while you’re supposed to be meditating, tell them your inner voice just cracked a joke. But it’s an inside joke so they wouldn’t get it. (as a side note this may distract your family from political conversations by questioning your sanity instead)
• Make something with your hands. No, not a fist. Do something artsy/craftsy or build something. You don’t have to be professional for this, just have some fun, and let your imagination play a little.
• Plant something or work in a garden, added bonus is plants give off oxygen and getting more oxygen will help reduce stress.
• If you can get some of that stress onto the paper, or screen, then your brain doesn’t have to work so hard to try and retain it. (don’t ask me why the brain does this, I just know it does)
• Give something a good scrubbing. Nothing takes out some frustration like teaching some grout who’s boss.
• Watch a movie or binge watch a few episodes of a TV show you like. The key here is to pick something that you have actually been wanting to watch, not just whatever happens to be on at that moment. It’s not about getting more screen time, it’s about having some quality screen time.
• Go outside, even if it’s only long enough to take 10 deep breaths.
• Play some music that you love to sing a-long to and do it.
• Slowly drink a cup of hot water with lemon. I know it sounds a little weird but I find this really, really soothing. Maybe there’s some sort of aromatherapy thing going on with the citrus.

So, there you have it, 10 ways to mellow out when you’re pushing yourself too hard or when all the family time starts working your last good nerve. And by you, I mean me, cause I will be making good use of this list over the next 10 days or so. If you’ve got any other suggestions leave a comment and let’s see how many we can come up with.

Peace and Love,

Jane