The last two months of the year always seem to fly by in a blur, don’t they? There’s decorating to do, company to clean for, turkeys (and fruit cakes, cookies, casseroles, etc.) to cook, gifts to buy, flights to catch, parties to attend, stockings to stuff, and the list just goes on and on. It’s no wonder that, though regarded as the most festive and joyous time of year, it’s also the most stressful for many people. The pressure to get everything done and to meet expectations from family, friends, and colleagues — all while carving pumpkins or singing carols — can be enough to create great stress and anxiety, which can limit our ability to truly enjoy these special times.
Feeling tense and stressed, particularly around the holidays, can cause a multitude of emotional and physical problems: insomnia, moodiness, over or under eating, anger, and short attention span, to name just a few. Stress can also manifest itself in headaches, muscle tension, and susceptibility to illness and injuries. None of these are fun ways to spend our merry occasions.
Aiding the Anxiety
Work pressures, family or friend conflicts, and simply too little time in the day are common culprits of stress, but it can come from many different places. Just as we all have a wide range of triggers for stress and anxiety, everyone has different approaches that can be useful to relieve their symptoms. Some tips that might help ease your holiday strain can be to:
- Get moving. You may feel like the last thing you have time for during the busy season is getting to the gym, but carving out that time for yourself and getting your blood flowing is essential to managing stress. If you’re not a gym-goer, try bundling up and heading outdoors for a quick walk or jog in the fresh air. Yoga is also a great option.
- Put pen to paper. Sometimes just the dozens of things we need to remember swirling around in our heads can be enough to drive us crazy. Write or type out a to-do list with all your action items and keep it with you. Every time you cross something off, you’ll feel your stress ease up.
- Just say no. It’s not necessary to attend every function you’re invited to, and hosts understand that you can’t be two places at once. Overbooking yourself — not to mention the heavy food and drinks, late nights and lost sleep — contributes to feeling frazzled, unhealthy, and stressed-out.
- Count to ten. While it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays, it’s important to remind yourself that in the scheme of things, it’s just a short period of time meant to be savored and enjoyed — not just survived. Take a deep breath and take time to smell the cider, peppermint, and pine.
Holistic Help for Harmonious Holidays
Additionally, acupuncture can be an effective part of your stress and anxiety relief, any time of year. When we are feeling tense and our bodies are reacting to stress, our Qi, or energy flow, slows or becomes obstructed altogether. As a result, we can often feel imbalanced, unhealthy, and more susceptible to stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture treatments work to clear the Qi pathways, also known as meridians, allowing our energy to flow more freely. A healthy and balanced Qi is good for overall well-being and can also help us feel calmer and better equipped to handle stressful situations (including in-laws overstaying their welcome or an overcooked turkey!). Some degree of stress is always normal around the holidays, but don’t let it get in the way of your celebrations. Schedule your appointment to talk with us about acupuncture and stress relief at 602-955-5444.
