Is holiday stress getting to you? Try Mayo Clinic’s tips, including mindfulness, for some self-care and relief
- Are you buying a gift because you feel like you must? Sometimes the more meaningful gifts are actions or activities we can do with people we care about
- Are you thinking enough about yourself? Self-care can be about mindfulness – giving yourself permission to slow down and not think about anything
For those who are overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the holiday period - shopping for gifts, preparing meals and juggling different traditions, staff from the Mayo Clinic in the US state of Minnesota offer this helpful guide for making the season less challenging.
The end-of-year holiday season means different things to different people. Family and religious traditions are observed in various ways, and the meals and extra activities can lead to a lot of stress.
For many people, much of the focus tends to be on gift-giving. Gifts are a wonderful way to show love, appreciation and gratitude, but not everyone needs a gift in the traditional sense.
Most people tend to think about a gift as something that is purchased - an item wrapped with ribbon and paper to be opened and enjoyed. But making a meaningful connection or having a deeper conversation with someone can also be a gift.
Take time to pause and think about what is important, as that can probably provide a greater value.
Sometimes the more meaningful gifts are the things we give from the heart – actions or activities we can do with people we care about.
For instance, give a parent, sibling or friend the gift of time and assistance: “I’ll help you with this craft project” or “I’ll help you clean out the cupboards”.
When considering the gifts you want to give, take a moment to think about your intentions.
Are you accomplishing what you want? Ask yourself if you are being authentic with the way you communicate with other people. Are you buying a gift because you feel like you must, or are you buying a gift that truly reflects how you feel about the person?
It is also important to think about yourself. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the chaos of the holidays, consider asking others to tackle certain tasks if you can.
If you’re feeling frustrated, short on time or impatient, it will be helpful to try to reduce your stress and take some time for yourself.
Often people think of self-care as always going out and doing something, like getting their nails done or going to the gym.
But sometimes focusing on self-care is about mindfulness – pausing, being quiet at your desk or in bed, breathing, shutting your eyes, and giving yourself permission to slow down and not think about all the other things that are competing for attention.
You can also consider some other ways to reduce stress, including:
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Spending time with a pet. It’s no secret that pets make us happy. Their love is unconditional, they are always happy to see us and they’re adorable. Spend some quality time with a pet. Or volunteer at an animal shelter if you don’t have pets of your own.
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Grabbing a book. Reading is a great way to wind down. Like colouring, it helps you lose yourself in the moment and forget about your work or other stressors.
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Massaging your pressure points. Any massage can be relaxing, but massaging the pressure points in your body, especially the ear lobes, brings on a calming, relaxing sensation over your body. Do this for a few minutes, and you may start to feel some relief.
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Busting a move. Breaking out your best dance moves along with your favourite song can be therapeutic for many people. If you’re dancing throughout most of the song, you also can say you sneaked in some exercise.
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Taking a deep breath. Deep breathing is a great way to reduce your body’s response to perceived threats. Breathe in through your nose for five seconds and hold for two seconds. Then release your breath through your mouth for five seconds.
As you navigate your end-of-year calendar, social activities are a big part of expectations.
