Self-Care Rituals to Unwind During the Busy Holiday Season (2/2)

We saw yesterday that self-care encompasses any activity that we do to shut off our mind, relax, and relieve stress.

We all need to get rid of that stress, right?

So lets see how else self-care can come in to better survive the holidays.

More Fun Forms of Exercise and Stress Relief

• Yoga is a Major Stress Reliever
  If you've never done yoga before, why not head on over to YouTube and follow along with a video or two to get a sample of what's involved and how great you'll feel when you're finished. If you'd prefer to first read up on the amazing benefits of yoga, master the poses, and learn about how yoga came to be and how it fits so well with today's fast-paced lifestyle, then start with a "yoga bible" type of book.

• Hula Hooping With a Fitness Hoop Combines Exercise With Dance
  If you love grooving to funky beats, and want exercise to be more about fun and music, and less about reps and counting… then mail-order yourself a hula hoop. Fitness hula hoops aren't like the light plastic hula hoops you'd find in the kids' toy aisles of your favorite retail outfit. They're designed for adults, and properly weighted for ease of use. Fitness-geared hula hoops are sized according to height and weight of the person using them, so be sure to check into this so you can get the proper fit.

Self-Care Rituals to Relax You

Self-care does not have to mean exercise, though certainly in many cases exercise helps us look and feel better. In some cases self-care simply means reducing stress by indulging in pastimes that relax us, and provide enjoyment.

• Essential Oils Relieve Stress Naturally
  Meditation and essential oils provide a nice, pleasantly-scented way to wind down. They also make perfect holiday gifts for the ladies on your list… your wife, mother, best friend or adult daughter, who may be seeking relief from stress in her life.

  Did you know that some essential oils have naturally occurring compounds that act as a mild sedative and can relieve stress?

  • Lemon oil clears the mind and relieves anxiety.

  • Cinnamon oil helps us to feel calm and emotionally grounded.

  • Lavender oil promotes relaxation and restful sleep.

  • Chamomile oil has the same, sedative effect when you breathe it in as it does if you sipped a cup of chamomile tea.

    At the end of a busy day, you may find relief after diffusing some essential oils while reading, sipping a cup of hot tea or by coloring (psst… have a look at these inspiring Essential Oils coloring books!)

• Do Crafts to Relieve Stress
  Crafting is a form of self care. Studies confirm that knitting, crocheting and other types of handicrafts have a calming effect on the human brain. It is possible that the repetition involved with doing such work relieves the mind of obsessive thoughts, as does keeping the hands busy.
  Here’s a fun craft tutorial: Bucket List Gnome

If productivity is your aim during the Christmas season or any time of year, then keep this in mind. The better care we take of ourselves, the more energy we'll have left to do the things we truly love, and want to do.