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 follow you on IG!
I just started using the app Headspace to meditate for 10 min at the beginning of my commute. Helps calm my mind and focus my brain!!
staying active and getting quality time with just my husband and daughter definitely help me to #stressless! love the giveaway!
Exercise is the thing that helps relieve my anxiety the most!
I love setting up a candle (holiday scents are the best) and putting on some relaxing music to unwind at the end of the day. So helpful.
Thank you for sponsoring this and for opening a conversation about these types of topics!
My strategy is to make sure I have time to myself and time to exercise!
I follow you on IG!
Simple, prayer!
I am going to stress less this season because I volunteered my brother to host! He never has anyone to his house, so I think it’s about time! 🙂
Follow on IG!
I have always wanted a rewind candle!
I try to go for a run or even a short walk by myself every day!
I really find writing things down so they aren’t swirling in my head helps.
Doing some type of workout/activity everyday is a great stress reliever.
I’m struggling with anxiety since the birth of my daughter. Prayer helps me a lot as does talking to a counselor and confiding in my mom.
On a temporary assignment—moving is hard, and knowing I’m moving on again soon is hard!
I have never heard of Rescue Remedy before but it sounds amazing! I Def have to check it out.
I have mild to going insane anxiety with all that is always going on. The best way to clear my mind is to take the pup for a walk!
Erin C planners are the best!
I find baking to be a great stress reliever!
Followed on IG!
Intriguing! I always see Rescue Rememdy in the checkout line but haven’t ever tried it.
I find cooking and baking to be really therapeutic. Something about following a recipe and having a product come out while I process my thoughts is so calming. Plus who doesn’t love a good meal or baked good!
A cup of tea and a snuggle with my pup is always relaxing!
cuddling with my dogs is the best way to destress (and making sure I get my exercise in)
follow on instragram 🙂
Getting enough sleep really helps me this time of year. Also, Vitamin D!!! Almost no sun = no fun.
Working out is a great way for mr to clear my mind! Fun giveaway!
During this time of year I’ve been known to blare my favourite Christmas album – Hanson Snowed In!
listening to Christmas music and cooking are my ways to de-stress!
A nice mix of cardio, barre, bubble baths, and chocolate help me relax!
Such a good post…I feel like Type A personalities get stressed over everything…whoa is me! Every year I say I’m not hosting a holiday party and each year I still host one. It makes me so stressed out over the lil details..sometimes it’s just about taking a breath and letting go.
I try to #stressless by not over committing and attending every available function. It gives me peace to habe quiet family time without all of the craziness.
I follow you on IG
I try to keep from being stressed by staying on top of the holiday to do list. I try not to wait until the last minute
Exercise is key for me!
Definitely yoga!
Meditation, yoga, and therapy – three of my faves as well!
I’m trying to build a meditation practice and make it a daily habit. I’m also working on getting back into a regular exercise routine – I’ve gotten out of the habit during my pregnancy and a busy season of life but I know that it’s the best thing I can do for myself and my growing baby.
I stress less by reminding myself (sometimes constantly) that I’m doing everything I can do and that’s all I can possibly ask of myself or anyone else.
I follow on Instagram too!
I make sure to have time to myself- usually workouts or walks and podcasts. Even if it’s just 10 min a day it helps!
Yoga
I #stressless with yoga and by trying to focus on the important things like quality family and friend time
Thank you! I suffer from anxiety myself and am always looking for ways to better manage it. A couple of things I do during the holidays is plan ahead and stick to a budget for gifting and stay active and on my usual routine for the majority of the month.
To help keep sane, I always *try* to keep in mind that everything WILL get done….one way or the other. If not today, there is always tomorrow! 🙂
Oh my goodness, I need to go find this asap (side note, I miss having Sprouts around 🙁 ). I have always had a problem with anxiety, and while it’s gotten A LOT better, I still have my moments. I keep telling myself I need to try meditation, and I know it’s the kind of thing that I just need to do.
I always take one week day off early in the month to get some shopping done when the stores aren’t weekend crazy, wrap, or just have an extra day to get stuff done. It makes me feel more productive and less crazed trying to get allthethings done on the limited weekend time.
I follow on IG
similar to yours- take time to go for a walk with my dogs and make a list. i always feel so much better with everything written down and not worrying about keeping it in my head. plus, crossing it off is amazing!