I don’t know how about you… but I am feeling the holiday pre-Christmas rush…🙃
The holiday season is often about joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones 🎄😃 🎉.
However, it can also be a time of stress and exhaustion as we rush to meet deadlines, complete our shopping, make it to school events and social gatherings 😅.
What I want to say to all of you is – step back and remember to slow down… so you can truly enjoy it and find peace amidst the hustle and bustle 😊.
Remember cortisol, the stress hormone? It suppresses your oestrogen and progesterone. And we don’t want that. So, what can we do?
Here are 5 effective tips from me:
1. Prioritize Self-Care – women are particularly bad at this. However, it is super crucial, and not selfish 😉, especially this time of year.
-take a long bath with essential oils
-listen to calming music or nature sounds
-practice meditation by simply allowing yourself 2 min of your day with a cup of your favourite tea ☕.
2. Unplug from Technology – the constant pinging will create extra stress and anxiety.
– Turn off notifications on your phone or put it on silent mode 📱
– Make it “tech-free” after 8pm, which will also help your sleep
– Engage in activities that don’t involve screens, maybe finish that book?… or signing those Christmas cards that need signing?🎄☃️
3. Move More – Stepping outside and simply taking a walk, ideally in nature can have a profound impact on our well-being. Yes, the weather has been rubbish ☔, but
– Wrap up and take a walk in the local park or even a 10min walk at lunch time
– Book that extra yoga class 🧘♀️ – even if it feels like there is no time for this luxury… it is not a luxury but a survival strategy 😀
4. Plan Ahead – Avoid last-minute rushes. Create a to-do list 🗒️ and break it into manageable chunks
– Make a shopping list and choose simple gifts and few numbers
– Delegate tasks to family members or friends to share the workload, get your kids involved
** are you hosting it this year? How about sharing the cooking and allocating a dish for each one of your guests to make and bring to the Christmas dinner? So you don’t have to do it all yourself….😉
And… it does not have to be perfect…
5. Savor Simple Pleasures – take time to appreciate the simple joys of the season. It does not have to be all about presents or food.
– Bake cookies and share them with neighbors or colleagues
– Have a movie night with classic holiday films with family (“Nativity” springs to my mind 🤔🤣)
– Make time to phone that long-lost friend
– Bundle up on a sofa with a book and a hot chocolate…☕So, let us take a deep breath…unwind…and allow ourselves to experience the magic of Christmas at a slower pace 🎄.
Olga 😊