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 also follow on instagram.
Exercise and regular massages!! They are expensive but my body thanks me!
Those are all great tips! 🙂
This is such a nice giveaway. You’re kind. Like you I struggle with anxiety too. Yoga is SO helpful to me. Helps remind me to stay in the present. Wishing you the best as you move!
I follow on IG!
I totally understand this! I am not a stressor but I have an anxiety issues. Many people do not understand the difference. It is especially hard with our husband’s doing what they do. Mine has been away for almost 3 months and me and our LO are in Asia. I have concerned talking to someone before the anxiety continues to built but I wonder that a therapist will not have information that is inline with my values. Prayers is huge for anxiety!
You are doing great! Prayers for ya’ll doing this transition season!
i stress less by exercising (when i can!) i love walking at the very least.
also i follow you on ig 🙂
I love keeping a holiday shopping/to-do list and I also try to keep up with my normal fitness routine. Just because its a holiday doesn’t mean I have to take the day off!!
Thank you Gina for your inspiring post! I try to make sure I’m taking care of myself. I’m learning that’s not always pushing and working harder, but sometimes being gentler on myself
I stress less by taking family time and cooking together with my husband.
Does eating cookies count as a way to stress less? Keeping regular workouts helps me so much to blow off that energy.
Love these ideas! I’m a bug fan of having a plan
I also follow on instagram.
Using a planner is what really helps me stay normal!
I make myself a cup of hot cocoa or tea to calm down.
I follow on Instagram!
I have to use a daily planner to keep me organized so I stress less.
I follow you on instagram.
I #stressless this season by not saying yes to everything. Too many! 🙂
definitely by making sure i get my exercise on!!
Love rewined candies!
follow you on insta 🙂
Great tips!
My morning workouts with my gym friends keep me sane!!!
I’ve been trying to meditate more and do more yoga to control my stress.
I follow on instagram
I agree – meditation is key to reducing anxiety!
I follow on Instagram
Anxiety is something that I struggle with on the regular! Yoga in the morning and a good book w/wine at night have proven to be great outlets for me! I absolutely love your suggestions though and would love to try Remedy and get myself organized with an Erin Condron. Thank you for posting such a great topic (as always) and for sponsoring a wonderful giveaway!
I try to exercise and get decent sleep. Also, it helps to stop and enjoy the season!
Thanks for the introduction to Rescue Remedy; I’m totally checking this out for one of our dogs! I love all your tips, like you, I find meditation and movement are key for me. During the holidays when I want to do all the things and see all the people, I make sure to schedule in downtime so I don’t feel so overwhelmed. Thank you for sponsoring this giveaway Gina, any of these items would be wonderful!
Walking, yoga, and reading!
I love following your IG account!
definitely keeping up my exercise routine, and remembering to take deep breaths throughout the day!
Sleeping! And getting my workouts in by planning ahead!
This is much needed. <3
I follow on IG!
I follow on IG too 🙂
I’ve used rescue remedy pastilles in the past, and they have definitely helped. Thanks for all of the tips!
Spending snuggle time with my dog is something I try to add more into my life when I’m feeling stressed.
I would LOVE San Erin Condren planner! Staying organized helps to keep my anxiety at bay.
I follow on insta!
I definitely use my workouts as a way to destress, and I thankfully have a best friend that I can talk to.
Great post! Workout and taking to my mom and best friend is stress relief for me, walking with the guy and pup works too!
I follow on IG 🙂
I haven’t quite got into meditation yet but I have been focusing on stopping what I’m doing and taking a few deep breaths when I feel stressed or anxious. It helps!
Get my shopping done early and I follow you on Instagram!
Power yoga! #stressless
I follow on IG