Ways to ease anxiety during the busy holiday season

This post is sponsored by Rescue and includes a fun giveaway opportunity from me to you.

As you guys know, I’ve struggled with anxiety on and off throughout my life. I’m an anxious person by nature (it comes with the Type A territory) and usually find myself two steps ahead, wondering about “what’s next?”

Over time, I’ve also learned ways to manage my anxiety so it doesn’t get the best of me during stressful times. The holiday seasons are busy enough, but add in a move (and then another move) with two small children and two dogs, and it could be a recipe for stress-stravaganza. By putting the pieces in place to make sure I take care of my mental health, I’m able to enjoy the present moment and all of the beautiful events so much more.

Decrease anxiety naturally during the holidays

Here are some of the ways I manage anxiety and stress during the holidays:

1. Meditate, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Meditation changed my life. For so long, I tried to meditate, but wasn’t quite sure what I was doing. My brain would go crazy talking to itself and I’d give up. Finally, I learned HOW to meditate. All of my tips are in this post! Find a quiet spot that’s just for meditation, set a timer, and find a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes, and pay attention to your breath, focusing on deep inhales, and long cleansing exhales. Having a mantra helps me immensely, and helps me to push out the to-do lists and “what-ifs” that might pass by. The secret to meditation is not blocking your thoughts. It’s accepting them, letting them go, and bringing awareness back to your breath.

Meditation corner 1 of 1

2. Practice yoga. I notice a huge decrease in anxiety levels when I make yoga a part of my life. It forces me to breathe and focus on the right now, instead of being two steps ahead in the future. Even though my fitness schedule is pretty full, and I can tell yoga has been lacking and am determined to bring it back into my life.

3. Keep moving. I find that I get the most stressed when I’m still. Moving around often throughout the days makes me feel good and is a great way to get out some anxiety.

DSC 5206

Even if I take a break from work to walk the dogs or do a quick Fitness Marshall dance on YouTube, it’s always worth it.

4. Make a plan. This one is HUGE. If I have a plan, my mind doesn’t feel like it needs to wander, constantly keeping check of the priority checklist. I make my list, check things off as I go, and have non-negotiables for each day that must be done. Everything else can be pushed back if it needs to be. 

5. Treat yourself. Make sure that you have something to look forward to that you enjoy each day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chores and necessary tasks, that you can look back on the day and be like, “Whoa. I didn’t do anything fun.” I’m not talking about dropping everything to lounge at the beach (even though, let’s be real, that sounds AMAZING) but little things: a great workout, a cup of coffee with a friend, time to read a book that sucks you in, a dance party with the kiddos. 

6. Talk to someone. If you find that your anxiety is overwhelming you, or just want an outsider to listen to you and determine reasonable solutions, I’m a huge advocate of talk therapy. Find a therapist nearby to talk to you; I don’t think you’ll regret it. 

7. Find things that help you to feel calm and centered, and embrace them. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, sunshine, water, nutrition, and exercise.

Sometimes you get into stressful situations, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Find a strategy that works for you to bring you back down to earth, and keep the stress from taking over. I was so thankful when my acupuncturist recommended the Rescue Remedy products. It was when P was very little and we were both dealing with medical issues, and I spent an entire acupuncture session crying. I told him my anxiety was really affecting me. He knew I was already talking to a therapist, and suggested the Rescue Remedy products as a way to calm myself down when I started to feel really antsy or stressed. Thankfully, they had a huge selection at Sprouts and I was able to pick up a bottle that day. Since then, I’ve carried it with me in my purse and use it when I’m feeling particularly stressed or anxious. 

Rescue remedy 1

I love Rescue Remedy because it’s a great “in the moment” product. The second I start to feel anxiety, I spritz a little into my mouth, take a few deep breaths, and BOOM: more calm and centered. Of course, talk with your doc before adding anything new into your routine. These remedies were developed by a doctor 80 years ago, and are non-habit forming.

Rescue remedy

Rescue has a ton of products available (even a line for pets!) and they’re made with flower remedies.

Here are the ingredients:

5x (HPUS) dilution

Star of Bethlehem – Orithogalum umbellatum (for comfort and reassurance)

Rock Rose – Helianthemum (for confidence and composure)

Cherry Plum – Prunus cerasifera (for self control and stability)

Impatiens – Impatiens gladulifera (for patience and tolerance)

Clematis – Clematis vitalba (for focus and motivation)

27% Grape Based Brandy or Sunflower Based Glycerin as preservative (<— since it contains alcohol, keep out of the reach of kiddos)

Giveaway time

And now, it’s giveaway time! 

A lucky reader will win some of the things that help me feel calm and centered during this busy season:

-An Erin Condren planner of their choice

-A bottle of Rescue Remedy spray or drops

-A Rewined candle

-A cheeky sleep mask

Enter via the widget below and I’ll pick the winner this Thursday night at midnight and announce in Friday Faves.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

xoxo

Gina

My friends at Rescue sponsored this post, and I chose to personally sponsor the above giveaway. Thank you so much for your support regarding the sponsored posts that help support our family. Thank you so much for being here.

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287 Comments

  1. Tressie on December 7, 2016 at 7:39 am

    Cooking and baking are great stress relievers…(when my 1-year old will allow it!)!!!

  2. Mama on December 7, 2016 at 7:40 am

    I also follow on insta!

  3. Stephanie on December 7, 2016 at 7:49 am

    Exercise!!

  4. Alana De Young on December 7, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Yoga 🙂

  5. Genna on December 7, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Long walks help me destress and meditation with the Headspace app!

  6. Alexa on December 7, 2016 at 9:21 am

    i #stressless by enjoying nights on the couch with my fiancé, drinks/games with close friends, and enjoying each and every little holiday things (xmas lights, starbucks holiday flavours, xmas music :))

  7. Karla Hudson on December 7, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Getting lost in a book and working out!

  8. ErikaMC on December 7, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Plan ahead and make sure everything is on the schedule. I also don’t feel bad for having one night to send everyone else out of the house so I can have that time to myself and do whatever I want.

  9. Maryz on December 7, 2016 at 10:59 am

    I make a plan every morning to make sure I get everything done for the day!

  10. Amanda on December 7, 2016 at 11:39 am

    I follow on insta!

  11. Amanda on December 7, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I read. I just joined a book club and having new books to read and contemplate helps me to relax and destress.

  12. Emily S on December 7, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    Take a nap while watching a Hallmark Christmas Movie!

  13. Lori on December 7, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Exercise is a sure bet to stress less in my life!

  14. Lori on December 7, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    I follow on Instagram!

  15. Jamie on December 7, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    OMG I NEED this! I have been having the worst anxiety, with tons of panic attacks recently. It’s so hard to deal with, but I refuse to let it rule me. Deep breathing and exercise help some, but I need something to help more (and I really don’t want to use medication).

  16. Caroline on December 7, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    I make sure to stick (to the most part) to my normal workout routine. Being active is my best de-stressor!

  17. Lisa on December 7, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    I make color coded lists!

  18. Charlotte on December 8, 2016 at 6:14 am

    I make sure to run regularly!

  19. Kayla on December 8, 2016 at 7:28 am

    I stress less by sticking to my workout routine, which is do-able when you teach three (yoga) classes a week and your time at the gym is just about your only time away from your kids. 🙂 Otherwise, I stress less by trying to have fun and embrace traditions. If you remember to put the joy into the season, it’s less stressful.

  20. Kayla on December 8, 2016 at 7:29 am

    I follow on Instagram, too.

  21. Tracy on December 8, 2016 at 7:40 am

    I stress less by focusing on what’s important, and letting the little stuff go.

  22. Kailyn B on December 8, 2016 at 7:50 am

    Love this giveaway – it is so thoughtful and practical! <3

  23. Kailyn B on December 8, 2016 at 7:52 am

    I #stressless when I take the time to exercise! With all of the time commitments of the holidays it is a challenge but so necessary to stay sane!

  24. Kailyn B on December 8, 2016 at 7:53 am

    I follow on insta too! xo

  25. Kristen M on December 8, 2016 at 9:16 am

    I go running! An early morning run is my endorphin therapy to manage anxiety and stress.

  26. Olviya on December 8, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    By slowing down, and savoring the moment.

  27. Sara on December 8, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    When not pregnant, excercise! Since I am considered high risk I have a lot of restrictions…meditation has saved my sanity!

  28. Sara on December 8, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    I also follow on Instagram 🙂

  29. Maria Winter on December 8, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    Great giveaway!

  30. Liz on December 8, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    I keep up with crossfit!

  31. Liz on December 8, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    I’m folllwing you on IG!

  32. Dominique on December 8, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    Omg this is perfect and can’t wait to try it! I recently have been looking for new ways to get my anxiety under control and this looks great!

  33. Dominique on December 8, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    On insta, too!

  34. Tal on December 8, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    snowshoeeing

  35. Tal on December 8, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    spend time with famjam

  36. Kelley on December 8, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    Acupuncture once a month is a lifesaver 🙂

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