There’s a reason why they call it the silly season. We often tend to let go of ourselves over the holidays, but there are little ways you can take care of you over the break. Personally, this time of the year is crazy, the Organic Herbal Tea arm of my business revs up as people purchase Teas and Iced Teas for gatherings and gifts, personal training revs up as it get warmer and I’m in planning mode for the New Year which is always a big time as people put health as their priority in the New Year…….so I’m also feeling tired, run down and slightly overwhelmed. Are you feeling like this too? Here are some of the things that I do to help myself during this time of year and I wanted to share them with you.

Find a way to relax

While Christmas lunch is fun, the planning and preparing adds pressure as well as family dynamics that can sometimes be tricky, so you’re more likely to experience stress and anxiety. But if you don’t want to spend the season counting down until it’s over, you’ll want to get smart. There are plenty of ways to manage stress – you just need to find which works best for you.

If you unwind best by pressing pause, try a guided meditation app, (insight timer is my favourite. I use this daily) or close the door for 5 minutes and practice deep breathing. If you find yourself full of nervous energy, do some skipping, jogging, boxing or stretches. When I feel the pressure of the holiday, I like to meditate. I meditate every night before bed and during busier times like Christmas I also add in short daily meditations, usually 5-10 minutes. Something that is quick yet still has the ability to calm the breath and bring me back to feeling grounded.

Spend some time in nature

Our ancestors spent most of their time out in nature. But over the last few generations, we’ve almost cut it out completely. But the research shows time and time again that spending time outdoors is good for your physical and mental health.

Spending time out in nature has been shown to help with everything from immunity to hypertension. Going barefoot in nature is one of the best ways to get grounded. Of all the relaxation techniques, getting back to nature is by far my favourite and the most effective.  It can help manage stress and keep perspective through the silly season.

You don’t need to become the next Tarzan to benefit from nature. Start with short walks in your local reserve, or organise a family trip to the beach when you start to feel overwhelmed. The Inner West of Sydney has an abundance of parks. Learn more. 

My favourites are Chicken and Hen Bay and Black Wattle Bay (especially because this is where I run my Personal Training Sessions from.)

Drink some Herbal Tea

Herbal Teas have many therapeutic benefits including stress relief. All of our core Inspired Health by Dee Tea range (Chillout, Calm and Sleeping Beauty range) were designed for busy, tired, stressed and overwhelmed people. They help calm, relax and de-stress. Calm is great hot or cold as an Iced Tea. Visit our Tea Shop here.

Find a way to stay active

When you’ve got a Christmas list a mile long, it’s easy to let your exercise regime slip. But you don’t need to do formal exercise to benefit. Instead, look for ways to stay active while you’re ticking off that to-do list.

Heading to the shops for Christmas shopping? Carry your bags instead of using a trolley, and walk back to the car each time your arms are full. I clocked up 14000 doing my Christmas shopping J  it definitely adds up when you aren’t noticing. Or planned a family Christmas dinner? Instead of everyone lounging in front of a Christmas movie, encourage everyone down to the local park to play some cricket or football.

Focus on quality sleep

Sometimes it’s hard to get enough sleep over the holiday period. Between family dinners and Christmas parties, many of us are up early and heading to bed late. But if you can’t get your regular 7-8 hours of beauty sleep, you can still work on quality sleep.

To get a good night of sleep, minimise your use of technology before bed. You might also like to do some deep breathing exercises in bed. My favourite tip for a good night sleep is turn all phones off 30 minutes before bed, have a nice cup of Sleeping Beauty Tea and listened to a meditation from Insight Timer.

As part of my self-care over the holidays, I will be on break from 23rd December until the 5th January. You can book an appointment to see me www.calendly.com/inspiredhealthbydee

For more tips on self-care and wellbeing, download your free E-Book ‘10 Things you can do to feel energised and on Track with your Health.’

 

Dee x