The holidays can be one of the most magnificent times of the year. Seeing family, eating great food, and relaxation on days where you don’t have to work feels really good, but it can also be stressful. All of those things that I just mentioned are great at the moment and they create memories that last a lifetime, but the days leading up to them can be extremely stressful. Figuring out a budget for gifts and the pressure of seeming happy 24/7 can make the holidays feel more anxiety-inducing than happy. These are some tips from your Chiropractors in Rogers, Minnesota on how to maintain smaller levels of stress throughout the holiday season.
Go Hiking or Take A Walk In The Sun
Sunny days may be few and far between when it comes to the winter season, but when that sun does come out, you should use it to your advantage. Walking helps your body get in a rhythm which can help with your mood and sleep. Add sunlight to that which has been proven to increase serotonin levels in your brain and you have a recipe for happiness. Walking can even help reduce lower back pain because it is a low impact exercise.
Do Less
Doing less during the holiday season may seem near impossible. With all the shopping, cooking, and family it can seem like everything is on your plate all at once. Avoid adding anything extra to the mix by saying no at least once a day to any extra tasks. It may seem like a rude thing to do, but when you are at your most stressed, one of the things that can help the most is by simply taking a little bit extra time to yourself. You will be thanking yourself for the little extra alone time.
Stick To Your Daily Routine
Your body likes it when you have a routine. Waking up, eating, and working out at the same time every day ensures that your body stays in the routine that it likes. Throwing that off can sometimes trigger depression or stress that is unneeded. When the holidays roll around, don’t try to add too many extra things because they may throw off that routine and bring imbalance to your body.
Set A Spending Budget
One of the biggest proponents of stress around the holidays is the amount of money that is being spent. Whether it is on gifts for your loved ones or for holiday parties, it can certainly add up. Setting a budget to make sure that you aren’t spending extra money than you need to can do wonders for money induced stress. It will also force you to be more creative with your gift-giving, which in turn can help make it more fun because you force yourself to think outside of the box.
Don’t Let Family Get You Down
For some, being in close proximity to their families for an extended amount of time can be stressful in and of itself. Whether you have political differences or they feel overbearing, don’t let it get you down too much. Carve time for yourself where you go in your own space and read for a little, or go and see a movie that you have been eager to see. It doesn’t matter what you do to get away, just do it. Also, make sure to pick your battles with your family. You may not agree with something that they said or did, but calling them out on it can cause strife for everyone involved. When everyone is stressed then it can feel like every conversation is pulling hairs out. Just remember, if it doesn’t affect you, move on instead of saying something you may regret.
Schedule a Chiropractic Adjustment
Back pains and aches aren’t a great feeling to have when you are already stressed about the days ahead of you. Scheduling a chiropractic adjustment can help you feel less achy and more relaxed. It also can give you a little bit of time to get away from the stress for a little bit and just simply be in your mind. Our chiropractor in Rogers, MN can help you with any of those needs. Schedule an appointment with Ripple Health Clinic today!