The holidays are upon us, and for many of us, it can be a wonderful time of year.
However, if you’re not careful, you could allow high amounts of stress to affect you mentally, emotionally, or physically. We’ve got to be mindful of how much stress we’re carrying, especially during the holiday season.
There’s the kind of stress or anxiety that builds up in anticipation of the events ahead – or just as a general foreboding about what will be expected of you in the weeks to come.
Then there are those moments when you’re right there, and feeling REALLY pressured/strained/tense.
The good news is that it is possible to relieve or decrease stress in the moment by doing some simple things. Here are 15 creative and helpful stress relieving things you can do to help you experience a much more enjoyable – and mentally healthier – holiday season.
15 Stress Relieving Tips to Help You Through the Holidays
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1. Lie down.
Lie on the floor for a couple of minutes.
- Take a couple of deep breaths.
- Close your eyes and just envision every negative thing melting off of you down into the floor.
- Then, imagine a ray of light coming down through the ceiling and penetrating your entire essence.
That’s good energy flowing into you. Happy, relaxing, and positive energy saturating your body. Doing this regularly will be stress relieving and help you feel better.
2. Paint a picture.
Painting is a relaxing activity you can engage in whether you think you are creative or not.
Creating art offers a positive distraction from the chaotic or fast-paced environment around you. You will enjoy coming up with unique shapes and using a variety of colors to create something distinct.
If you’re not sure, start with an abstract painting. This way, you can create whatever you feel like and it will be considered art! In short, there is no such thing as “wrong” art.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a paint-by-numbers kit, which will provide all the materials you need (Less stress than having to go buy a bunch of supplies you may never use again.) and give you a guide so you can just relax and enjoy the creative experience!
You can find some lovely paint-by-numbers kits by tapping here.
3. Call or meet a friend.
Sometimes just getting together or talking to a friend can relax you and give you the opportunity to get some frustrating things off your chest.
Of course, you don’t have to talk about your problems or stressful life events. You can simply choose to laugh and have some fun.
4. Engage in a do-it-yourself project.
Give your hand a try at a DIY project like making some sort of craft, jewelry, or perform a DIY project around your house.
Not sure what to do? Do some research on the internet to get some great ideas! Pinterest is also a wonderful place to look for inspiration.
Some of our favorite DIY sites include A Beautiful Mess (We like the Make Your Own Candles and working with Resin jewelry DIYs) and of course, Pinterest, where you can learn everything from how to make your house smell like Pottery Barn to hacking IKEA furniture.
5. Eat a potato.
This may be stretching it a little, but try it on for size.
Potatoes are rich in potassium, which plays an important role in regulating your blood pressure. Our blood pressure tends to rise when we’re stressed, and increasing your potassium intake can be a great way to get your body mega stress-relieving potassium. (Hot tip: Keep the skin on for more potassium intake.)
6. Switch off your mobile devices.
Switch off your mobile devices for a couple of hours to allow you to take a break from some unnecessary interruptions.
Mobile devices have made it possible for us to remain connected to others at all times, but they can also be a source of stress if you always feel pressured to answer every text message or email that comes in.
If you’re dealing with a lot of stress, simply limit your time “on” your phone or computer.
Let Your Mind Wander: 3 Reasons Why You Should Put Down Your Devices
7. Watch a comedy.
Laughing allows us to relax and a comedy can be a great source of laughter.
Search for ‘top comedies’ and be sure to watch them. You can also start your own comedy playlist on IMDB.com, or look at someone else’s selections until you discover your own go-tos.
Rotten Tomatoes has a list of the 150 Essential Comedy Movies to Watch Now to get you started.
Listening to comedians is helpful as well! Head to your streaming service, like Netflix or Prime, and search ‘Comedy’ or ‘Comedians’ to get started. Then you can curate your own list of sure-to-make-you-laugh flicks for next time.
8. Play music.
Turn the radio on or a favorite playlist and jam to some good music.
Listening to music can certainly help relieve stress. Go with your favorite genre or put on some calm, meditative music. Really focus on the melodies and consciously relax at the same time. Or, dance it out!
Most platforms like YouTube, Spotify or Apple Music will sort playlists by genre or even feeling. So when you search, type in terms based on how you want to feel. Use words like:
- Calm
- Relaxing
- Stress relief
- Soothing
- Meditation
- Happy
- Cheerful
Once you find some that stand out to you, and help you feel better, start saving them in your own playlist, so you can run to them any time you need them!
9. Breathe deeply.
Breathing deeply helps you relax, because the breath increases oxygen in the body and tends to help you relax your muscles.
When you’re feeling stressed, take 5 or 6 deep breaths and let them out slowly, relaxing at the same time. You can also take a deep breath periodically throughout the day to relieve built up tension.
10. Take a walk.
Walking boosts endorphin production and this can reduce the stress hormones in your body.
Getting out into nature for your walk is a great idea, as the beauty of creation tends to help people feel calmer and more relaxed.
11. Drink tea.
Sipping on some hot Chamomile tea is a great option because it contains ingredients that offer a soothing and calming effect.
For an added relaxation bonus, draw yourself a hot bath, light a candle, and sink down into a bubble bath that will melt away your tension.
12. Read something interesting.
Reading can actually draw your attention away from challenging situations that pile on stress.
Grab a book that looks interesting and spend some time each day reading. Many people read just before bed, as it helps them to relax and become sleepy.
13. Get a massage.
Go for a massage session to promote calmness and relaxation.
Go for the full body massage, and the longer, the better. It’s always a good idea to pamper yourself from time to time.
14. Journal.
Jot down all the emotions you experience when you are stressed.
Sometimes just getting them out can help ease your stress. You can also give guided journaling a try. Also, you can look over your journal through the years and see just how you’ve changed over time. It can be fun to see how you’ve grown!
15. Spend time with a pet.
Are you an animal lover? If you are, a pet can be a great stress reliever, even if it means getting some cuddles from someone else’s.
There is nothing as relaxing as coming home to a special friend that is excited to see you at the end of a hard day. Playing with your pet can take your mind off a stressful situation and it can get your vibes back in positive mode.
5 Amazing Reasons You Should Adopt a Pet Right Now
Engage in Stress Relieving Activities as Much as You Can!
Try these creative and helpful stress relievers whenever you feel tension building up in your body. You do not have to let stress build up and carry such a heavy weight. Life ought to be full of fun and relaxation, especially during the holiday season, so take time for rest and relaxation regularly.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published Nov 27, 2022 and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Photo by Ron Lach
