Can you believe that Thanksgiving Day is only one week away? Or that we will be celebrating Christmas Day in less than five weeks? Oh, and then, New Year’s Day a week after that?
Tis the season!
If you are anything like me, you enter this season each year with grand hopes of treasuring it and enjoying all the family and festivity. And then before you know it, bamm!
The shopping…
The planning…
The cooking…
The baking…
The parties…
The programs…
And all the other good and wonderful holiday joys bring on anxiety and stress – two major roadblocks to treasuring and enjoying.
So, before things take off full tilt, let’s consider what we can do to make this season different.
It Begins with Intentionality
I’ve come to be a huge believer in the power of intentionality.
Those things that are important to us – marriage, parenting, grandparenting, living a life centered on Christ, our health – must be approached with great intentionality.
This holiday season, our treasuring, our enjoying, our mental and physical health – they must be approached with great intentionality.
Consider the following six strategies for being intentional this holiday season.
Proven Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
1. Exercise
There is strong scientific evidence to support the benefits of exercise in managing stress. I know you don’t think you have the time, but the benefits are HUGE and so worth it!
The good news is that practically any form of exercise can relieve stress. So, find something you enjoy – walking, bicycling, running, swimming, tennis – and spend a few minutes keeping that holiday stress at bay! In fact, for the relief of stress it’s said that thirty minutes a day, six days a week is ideal.
Be intentional. Hop over and read the Mayo Clinic’s article on the benefits of exercise in managing stress. Then get those thirty minutes of exercise on your calendar.
2. Relax
I know. I know. Who has time to relax? (Especially during the holidays!)
But did you know when the body and the mind are relaxed at the same time, it is impossible for us to continue to be stressed? Like light and dark, the two cannot reside in the same place.
Pull away from your shopping frenzy to enjoy fifteen minutes at your favorite local shop or bookstore. Enjoy an evening bubble bath. Warm yourself by a fire. Take a nap.
It’s difficult to believe, I know, but our bodies can be taught to relax. All it takes is some intentionality.
3. Feed Your Soul
Biblical meditation is the most effective way to treat anxiety.
This holiday season schedule in some time to meditate on Scripture. Your scheduled time of biblical meditation could be observed first thing in the morning or done right before you go to bed. Another option could be to incorporate your time of biblical mediation into something you already do such as eat a meal, wait in line, walk a pet, or take care of household chores.
Regardless of when you schedule it, be sure to spend some time filling your mind with God’s Word – read it, write it out by hand, memorize it, sing it, or pray it. Stave off the anxiety of the season with intentional daily biblical meditation.
4. Fuel Your Body Wisely
There will, of course, be parties, which means all the delicious cookies and treats. Go ahead. Enjoy a little something now and again (unless there’s a medical diagnosis that keeps you from it).
But, by all means, for the sake of your stress levels (and your weight), keep your indulgences to a minimum. Rather than continually binging on sweets and carbs throughout the entire season, begin each day with a healthy breakfast and make daily choices that include lots of vegetables and other healthy options.
5. Sleep
Regardless of what our culture seems to indicate, we were created for sleep. In fact, take a moment to think about it. All of creation sleeps.
Good sleep patterns are important to our health and well-being. During the holidays especially, be intentional to establish a sleep routine that includes a consistent bedtime and eight to nine hours of sleep. Then stick with it as best you can.
6. Connect With Others
According to a report by Mental Health America, our bodies produce more cortisol (the stress hormone) when we are lonely. And as a result, we feel stress more intensely.
Not only does loneliness increase stress levels, but it has also been found to contribute to increased anxiety.
This holiday season, be intentional. Get connected. Volunteer at a local ministry or charity. Meet up with others for coffee. Find ways to interact and share with people in ways that are meaningful.
Make This the Season of Great Intention
It’s not enough to read it or to nod our heads in agreement. Intention requires action.
This year, set yourself up to treasure and enjoy the holidays by making intentional choices that will help to manage the stress that can so easily turn things upside down.
Reflect on the following. Then grab your calendar and put your stress-managing plan in place.
- What exercise do you enjoy and when will you schedule it?
- What relaxes you? Where will it fit in with your holiday schedule?
- How will you intentionally go about feeding your soul?
- What will be your eating plan for the season?
- To get eight to nine hours of sleep nightly, what is the best bedtime option?
- When and in what way will you connect with others?
