Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman | All images courtesy of @cf_kat

While the holidays can be a fun and busy time of year, there are definitely times where you find yourself looking at your schedule wondering how it’s possible that you’re going to squeeze everything in!  From visiting family to wrapping gifts and preparing food, it can be a little overwhelming at times. While this time of year can be focused on giving to others, it’s important to remember to give back to yourself as well with these 5 tips for combating holiday stress.

1. Work It Out

Working out can help to relieve stress by releasing endorphins and giving you a singular focus. By spending an hour or two in the local CrossFit box or pounding it out on the treadmill at home, carving out some time to focus on yourself and your goals can be a much needed respite during the rushing around of the holiday season. 

2. Grab a Coffee, a Book and Your Dog

Taking some time for yourself to read, play with your dog or just have a coffee alone can do wonders for your mental health. Spending time with our pets can help to relieve stress when we’re trying to tackle that to-do list. The holidays can be a very overwhelming time with all the parties, dinners and tasks that need to be done! Take some time to refocus & recenter yourself so you can jump back into the festivities fully rejuvenated. Bonus tip: adding in a CBD supplement could also help to relieve anxiety, depression & any joint pain from your workouts. A win/win!

3. Make a To-Do List

Making a list of items that need to get done can help you to feel more organized and together when its out of your head and down on paper!  With the most pressing items listed first, that will help you to make sure everything gets done when it needs to get done and you don’t feel rushed or pressured. Another useful tool is to understand that not everything has to get done in one day. Next to your tasks, write down what day they need to be done and what day you want to get them done. No time for it today? Try to get it done tomorrow. Be kind to yourself during this stressful time.

4. Focus In On The Positives

While it can be easy to get bogged down in what didn’t work out correctly or that frustrating relative, try to turn your mind to the positives. Getting to spend time with family can be stressful but focusing on the reasons why we love and appreciate our family and friends can help to realign your mind to a more positive space. Write down some positive affirmations or positive things that happened that day rather than dwelling on the cookies that didn’t turn out or the gift that still hasn’t been delivered.

5. Ask For Help

Whether it’s asking your partner to pick up the gift from the shops or asking your friend to be a sounding board, it’s always okay to ask for help. There is no need to spread yourself so thin so you eventually crack! Ask for backup and you’ll be sure to get it.

CONCLUSION

Keep in mind that while the holidays can be heaped in stress, it’s ultimately about spending quality time with the people that you love. Try not to stress about the changes in plans, unexpected guests or burnt cookies! It may seem like a lot at the moment but allowing yourself to have the space to step back and decompress can mean so much for your mental health and happiness during this holiday season.

All images courtesy of @cf_kat

 

About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.

You can follow her adventures on Instagram: @the_goodish_traveler or website: TheGoodishTraveler.com

 

> > > Live well.

 

How Much Money We Spend Each Year on Trying to Feel Less Stressed

By SWNS | December 10, 2019 - featured by New York Post

Eight in 10 Americans say politics are currently the biggest stressor in their life, according to a new report.

A recent poll of 2,000 Americans revealed that 78 percent of respondents say politics is currently stressing them out more than anything else in their life.

The current political climate topped everything as the biggest weight on our lives, but it wasn’t the only thing currently causing us anxiety.

Thirty-seven percent said a health issue is presently giving them fits, while over a third of Americans (35 percent) pointed to their partner as a big current source of stress in their life. The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of LIFEAID Beverage Co., found that over half of us are currently stressed out by work (51 percent) and money worries (51 percent).

Over one in four Americans say their work commute is currently stressing them out, with nearly a third (29 percent) saying social media causing them distress.

Another third (32 percent) say climate change is currently stressing them out.

Two in three Americans (67 percent) say they’re so stressed right now that it’s causing them to be less productive at work.

Dealing with all the stress can be quite problematic, too, as 69 percent of respondents say they tend to turn to “unhealthy” coping mechanisms.

It can also be pricey: The average American was found to spend $960 annually directly on trying to feel less stressed.

And if your current stress levels feel like they’ve never been higher, you aren’t alone. Sixty-eight percent of those polled say right now is the most stressed they’ve ever been in their entire life.

And there doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel: Two in three Americans polled (67 percent) said they don’t see their stress being relieved any time soon.

“Stress is both physical and mental, and one can easily exacerbate the other in extremely stressful times, even with regular exercise and a good diet. It’s important to find your center, and responsibly produced and marketed products with hemp can help you get there,” said Emily Sommariva, CMO for LIFEAID Beverage Co.

“Our survey results tell us 51 percent of respondents strongly believe hemp offers stress relieving benefits. And hemp drinks are a convenient option. You can hang without the hangover, and feel in control — something everyone who is stressed out, wants more of.”

With the holidays coming up, that means it’s time for holiday-related stress to rear its ugly head.

Shopping for gifts was found to be the most stressful part of the holidays, with 37 percent it causes them stress.

The act of visiting family was also atop the list (36 percent), along with cooking (34 percent), as well as crowds and lines (30 percent.)

Even the receiving gifts was found to be a pretty big stressor for nearly one in three respondents (31 percent).

Sadly, two-thirds of Americans say the stress they’re currently experience is actually dampening their holiday spirit.

“The negative effects of stress are cumulative, which is why you have to address stressful factors in your life methodically,” said Sommariva.

“A drink like LIFEAID HEMP helps you do that. You can enjoy it socially, or as part of a workout recovery program, or simply when you’re feeling the pressure of stress. It’s not about how much you drink when, it’s that you integrate a drink like this, thoughtfully.”

> > > Live well.