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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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)
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 cheeky sleep mask
Enter via the widget below and I’ll pick the winner this Thursday night at midnight and announce in Friday Faves.
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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I’ve been terrible about stressing during the holidays the last few years. It’s my favorite time of year, but every year I feel like I’m putting more pressure on myself!
I also follow on Insta 🙂
Keeping up my workout routine and having a to-do list helps minimize stress during the holiday season!
I #stressless by remembering not to over-commit! It’s so easy to stretch myself too thin, knowing that I end up enjoying everything less because there’s too much happening. Things staying simple is key 🙂
I love and hate hosting at the same time. I love it because I get to spend endless amounts of time with the fam but kind of hate it because I get out of my routine really quick. It’s a tough balance!
I love the idea about having a plan! I, too, suffer from pretty serious anxiety and I think I feel a lot better when I have a set plan ahead of me. Loved your tips! And you’re right, meditation works wonders!
great post. I would love to try this.
follow on Instagram! 🙂
I also follow on insta
Reduce stress by doing a yankee swap with both families. Only two gifts to buy!
Meditation is amaaazing for anxiety relief!
Regular cardio and strength workouts, and yoga at least 2x weekly. Also some time to decompress and be by myself is so helpful!
I too have suffered from anxiety in the past and find that doing almost everything you said in this post really helps me! Thanks for all of your helpful tips 🙂
I also carry Rescue Remedy in my purse. It’s my go to for stressful traveling!
I am all about getting in a good sweat and taking a couple of yoga classes a week to clear my mind!
This post is so timely! I’m going through a big change at work and feel my anxiety levels increasing. I find that yoga helps the most, so I’m going to try and make it to a class or two this weekend.
I also follow on Insta (@missleahrae87)!
I follow you on instagram! (handle: ksims6587)
Holiday are very stressful! This candle looks dreamy 🙂
I #stressless by keeping lists! Lists for gifts & lists for events. Very helpful for me!
i reduce stress by watching hallmark holiday movies. they’re so cheesy, but really cute!
i also follow you on insta!
I also follow on Instagram! @odellfam
I stress less by making gratitude lists or remembering that in a little while this will just be in the past, like yesterday even!
Awesome giveaway! I would love to win this
Always working out like every other time of the year!
And I follow you on IG, Gina!
What a nice post, it has been a stressful few weeks, these are great ideas to try to re-center a little.
I don’t find the holidays stressful at all. With a four year old, I just spend my time and energy enjoying the season with him. It’s way more important to have fun with him than worry about finding the perfect gift, or baking, or whatever.
follow on Instagram (@thebexfactor)
I try to stress less by not committing to too much, turning on the Christmas tree when I get home to enjoy the lights, savoring time with family and friends and baking.
I would love to try Rescue. I try to enjoy every moment of the holidays, stress is not allowed.
I follow on Instagram
Helpful ideas!
Working out always help me relieve stress!
Best giveaway! Rewined candles are sooo amazing. Also love the idea for a dance party to destress.
I follow you on instagram
Thanks for this post. I really need to try meditating again. I always get so frustrated and have a hard time sitting still that long, but my anxiety is definitely peak right now.
I follow you on Instagram!
Love all the goodies!! Excellent this time of year.
Thanks for all the ideas to ease anxiety this season! They will come in handy, especially as Christmas gets closer!
I love to read to give myself a break from the busyness! Also, I’m moderately decent at saying no to things that I just can’t handle. I never get more social invites on my plate than in November and December, and this introvert just has to say no sometimes.
I’m 6 months pregnant, have 2 toddlers and my husband and I are hosting our first Christmas. To say my anxiety is high is an understament. Right now, i relax by reading a book or doing some breathing exercises. Winning this would help a lot more with relaxing!
I’m definitely with you on keeping up my exercise routine! I’m trying to be more intentional with working ahead on client work so I can take a few days off. I love what I do but I also don’t want to be working the entire time I’m home with my family!
And I follow you on Instagram:)
I follow on Instagram!
Exercise helps me stress less.
I #stressless by baking. I find it really therapeutic.
I follow you on Instagram
I try to take some time for reading before bed.