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10 Ways To Relieve Your Stress This Holiday Season

relieve your stress this holiday season

The holiday season truly is the most wonderful time of the year; however, preparing for festive gatherings, dinners, performances, and outings can leave you feeling a little frazzled.

It’s important to schedule time this holiday season to manage and alleviate your stress. This helps you lower your stress levels so that you’re able to enjoy everything that the holiday season has to offer.

Here are 10 effective ways to relieve your stress this holiday season.

1. Create a Plan For The Holidays

A simple way to minimize holiday-induced stress is to have a plan. Your plan should be comprehensive and realistic.

While you may want to throw multiple parties and gatherings to celebrate everything you love about the holidays, reducing your number of planned events makes the holidays less stressful.

Be picky about what events and parties that you choose to attend. If it’s not an activity that will add joy to your life, it’s okay to skip it.

Decide what traditions and rituals you value the most, and make sure that your plans include these events.

Some items to address when planning include:

  • Where and when the event will be
  • Who’s invited to the gathering
  • Plans for the gathering, including games, food, and activities
  • A shopping list for the occasion (remember to include food, presents, serving ware, drinks, and decorations)
  • A budget for your holiday expenses
  • When you need to buy the items for the gathering
  • A rough schedule for the day of the event

Putting your plans in writing lets you see if your goals for the gathering are too ambitious or if they’re reasonable for your budget and resources.
Many people also find that just putting their plans in writing lowers their stress levels. It also makes it less likely that you’ll forget to buy or so something.

2. Make Time Each Day To Soak In Your Hot Tub

There are multiple benefits associated with adding a bit of hydrotherapy to your day. Soaking in a hot tub benefits your physical and mental health in the following ways:

  • Eases aches and pains
  • Reduces your stress levels
  • Helps you fall asleep quicker
  • Lowers your blood pressure
  • Offers a slight boost to your metabolism

One of the great things about hydrotherapy is that you only need 10 or 15 minutes in your hot tub to lower your stress levels and feel rejuvenated.

3. Maintain Your Healthy Habits

It’s perfectly fine to have a few more treats than usual and skip a few workouts around the holidays. After all, the holidays are full of people, traditions, and foods that you only get to experience once a year!

However, try to keep a few healthy habits intact so that you feel your best. Aim to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night so that you feel refreshed and well-rested for your holiday gatherings.

Try to avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and junk food consumption. Drink plenty of water throughout the day (add a an extra glass or two if you’re planning a soaking session in your Nordic hot tub).

Add 10-15 minutes of meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to your day. All these activities are effective at lowering your stress levels and providing mental clarity.

A clear mind boosts your productivity and assists you with making last minute holiday decisions.

4. Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute To Prepare For Your Outings Or Events

A common reason for excessive holiday stress is not allocating enough time to your holiday chores or preparations.

It’s easy to underestimate how long it will take to shop or wrap your presents, but it’s better for your stress levels to be more realistic.

You may be interrupted by your kids, pets, or partner, or you might have issues finding the ideal gift or preparing your special holiday recipes.

Assume that something will go awry, and add extra time to accommodate a setback. Don’t make the stressful mistake of assuming that everything will always go smoothly.

Whenever possible, add 10 or 20 minutes extra to your allotted time so that you’re less likely to be stressed when something doesn’t go according to plan.

If you need to schedule household services or repairs, like servicing your hot tub, try to schedule the appointment a few weeks in advance. Most businesses are especially busy around the holidays, and you want to make sure they can fit you into their schedule.

Even if you’re capable of servicing your own hot tub (or completing another household chore), hiring someone to handle the job removes one thing from your to-do list.

5. Schedule Activities That You Enjoy

You want to make sure that your family, friends, and partner have a memorable holiday season; don’t forget to schedule activities that make you happy.

It’s fine (and even healthy!) to think about your needs when making plans for the holidays. Spend an evening ice skating or sledding, or buy tickets to your favorite holiday-themed performance. Or, perhaps a holiday movie marathon with tasty snacks is your idea of a memorable evening.

Taking a few hours for an activity that adds joy to your life is an excellent remedy for holiday stress.

6. Unplug From Your Devices

While our mobile devices are convenient, they have a way of adding stress to our lives and reducing our enjoyment of activities that make us happy.

When it’s time to watch your favorite holiday movie or make your traditional holiday cookies, consider turning your devices off or setting them to “do not disturb” so that you can truly be present and in the moment.

The constant distraction of emails, text messages, and app notifications will only add to your stress.

Or, when it’s time to relax in your Jacuzzi® hot tub, leave your devices inside so that they don’t interrupt your leisure time.

7. Accept Offers Of Help

It’s tempting to try to handle all your holiday tasks yourself; after all, what better way is there to make sure everything is completed on-time and how you like it?

However, it isn’t worth the added stress of doing everything by yourself.  Many friends and family members ask what they can bring or what they can do to help during a holiday gathering.

Let them know how they can help instead of dismissing their offers.

Perhaps your relative can bring a dessert or side dish, or maybe your friend would love to help out at your grill or smoker. If someone offers to help with the dishes or package leftovers, smile and graciously accept their assistance.

8. Incorporate Exercise Into Your Day

Exercise is fantastic for your physical and mental health. When you move your body, your brain releases mood-enhancing endorphins and minimizes the effects of your holiday tension.

You don’t have to engage in a long, vigorous exercise session to realize the benefits of physical activity. Even 30 minutes of gentle exercise, like swimming in your all-season pool, walking, yoga, and dancing, are highly effective at lowering your stress levels.

This isn’t the time to embark on a rigorous training program. Instead, stick with physical activities that you love and will look forward to doing.

9. Talk With Your Friends Or Family About Your Stress

You’re not the only one trying to reduce your holiday stress. Schedule lunch or a phone call with someone who you like to spend time with.

It’s usually better to let your emotions out instead of trying to hold them in. Naming your emotions, like stating that you feel overwhelmed or unappreciated, helps you manage and address your feelings.

Your friend can lend a sympathetic ear, or if you’re looking for advice, offer potential suggestions for managing your stress.

If your friend is also experiencing holiday stress (and they likely are), it’s comforting to know that you’re not the only feeling overwhelmed.

10. Listen To Music Or An Audiobook

Listening to music or an audiobook are both activities proven to lower your body’s tension, heart rate, and blood pressure. A fantastic thing about these activities is that you can do them practically anywhere.

Or, if you want to combine your hot tub relaxation time with music or an audiobook, there are hot tub accessories that make this dream a reality.

A spa stereo system is an excellent option for listening to a book or music while you’re lounging in your hot tub.

Just pair your mobile device to the stereo system and you’re ready to relax. Or, use the aux input to conveniently connect your device.

The Bottom Line

Even though your schedule is busier than ever during the holiday season, incorporating activities for stress management is vital for your physical and mental wellbeing. Lowering your stress levels makes it possible for you to fully appreciate all your holiday activities.

A hot tub or swim spa are terrific alternatives for reducing your stress. Contact Premium Home Leisure today to explore your possibilities or check out options to enhance your spa experience.

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