🧘🏻🧘🏿♀️Stay Stress Free This Holiday Season🧘🏽🧘♀️
By: Arnica Lande
For a few months in early 2020, the world as we knew it shut down, and some valuable lessons were learned. With nowhere to go, we were giving our bodies more rest and nourishment than they may have experienced in a long time. We had deeper conversations with loved ones we could no longer see daily. We reconnected with old friends we’d nearly forgotten about. Forced to take a step back from our day-to-day routines, we found value in small comforts previously taken for granted. Coming up nearly two years later, many are back and working harder than before the COVID pandemic. With the holiday season approaching, everything from seasonal markets to brick and mortars is sure to be overrun with shoppers aiming to support local and beat any shipping delays from ordering out of state. All that to say, we likely aren’t slowing down again any time soon. However, staying grounded on a daily basis is one of the most important things we can do. With the impending stress of the holidays, make it a goal to take 45 minutes each day to take care of yourself and ensure you enjoy the seasonal celebrations.
Find a pocket in your day to devote to you – not work, family, or anyone else – just you. Whether it be in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up, after putting the kiddos to bed, or on your lunch break, find what works best and then block it out on your calendar like you would do any other meeting or obligation. Budgeting time in your day shows you, along with everyone else in your life, that you understand that your happiness and well-being matter. Not only can it help the way you interact with others and handle challenging situations, but it sets a precedent for those around you in their understanding of your needs. There will always be items on your “to-do” list, but taking time for you should always be first, especially when the prospect of holiday plans looms and along with it, your stress levels.
We know that exercise reduces the production of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol and increases endorphins, chemicals that benefit mood and decrease pain, but there are other benefits to taking 45 minutes of movement for yourself, too. A recent New York Times article states that the sweet spot for a longer life expectancy lies between 30-45 minutes of daily activity. So, give the gift of a fun workout and a longer life this holiday season with a Fierce45 gift card! Not only are you supporting a local Denver, women-run, and woman-owned company, but you’re giving a gift of a stress release, a mood booster, and a longer lifespan to go with it.
As loved as the November and December months are, they are equally daunting with the added financial and scheduling stressors. Budget 45 minutes daily for yourself now and embrace the holiday season on your terms. Gift the gift of Fierce to a friend (or maybe ask Santa for yourself!), and recognize that when you give to yourself first, it’s a lot easier to not only give to others but be present in all holiday celebrations and everything that comes with them.