Here we go again. The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner with Christmas on its coattails just 4 short weeks later. Considering all the planning that goes into cooking, traveling, decorating, gifting, and whatnot, it shouldn't be surprising that so many of us feel frazzled to the point of no return. And yes, even your normally mild-mannered perch librarian feels a little overwhelmed this time of year (though I try not to show it).
So, how do we survive the holiday season? How do we keep ourselves from going crazy and maybe even enjoy ourselves a little?
Here are some holiday stress busters to help you get through the most wonderful time of the year:
- Read. Come on. You know I had to put this at the top of the list, didn't you? Take at least a few minutes each day to read a good book. It will get your mind off things for a while.
- Sip. Researchers in the UK have found that the act of brewing and sipping tea is relaxing, lowering your levels of cortisol, a.k.a. the "stress hormone." And did I mention tea tastes good?
- Laugh. Watch a funny DVD. Get together with friends. Tell a joke. Dance a goofy dance. Act dorky. Whatever you do, have a good laugh. That will be sure to lower your stress.
- Hug. Another thing that lowers both cortisol and blood pressure is hugging. That simple human contact does so much. Don't have anyone to hug? Hug yourself. Seriously. Don't worry--I won't tell.
- Breathe. It's basic, but it does the trick. Just sit down and focus on your breathing. Breathe in, breathe out. Your parasympathetic system will be activated and you'll feel better. Why do you think meditation has become mainstream lately?
- Walk. A little exercise does the body and the mind good. You're moving those legs and swinging those arms. Let those endorphins (the "happy hormones") flood your system. Soon you'll be thinking: "Stress? What stress?"
Keep in mind that you don't have to be Superman or Wonder Woman to get through the holidays. Simplify, prioritize, delegate, and budget. You don't have to do everything. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend. Self-care is especially important during the holidays. And if you need some books, DVDs, or CDs to help you take a break, stop by the library--we got plenty of free things to get you relaxing.
Wishing you a happy and stress-free holiday season from the perch.
