Holidays are a welcomed break from the normal humdrum of life – but sometimes, what you thought was going to be a break actually causes more anxiety or stress.
While there’s often a lot of pressure for festivities to be all about fun, the holiday aftermath can leave you feeling tired, drained, and in search of the nearest couch.
If holidays leave you feeling more depleted than energized, you aren’t alone. While some may think all holidays should be uplifting and overflowing with love, the boots-on-the-ground reality can be quite different. For many, holidays can bring up emotional baggage, stressful conversations at the dinner table, and that crazy Aunt Marsha who always asks why you don’t have kids yet. #facepalm
Whenever you’re facing a holiday, blocking off time afterward for recovering is a powerful way to refill your cup. Here are six low-key, relaxing ideas for a post-holiday recoup.
1. Sit in silence.
Even taking one minute to sit in silence can help reduce feelings of fatigue or anxiety. It’s as simple as:
- Finding a quiet place where you can be alone.
- Taking a few slow, deep breaths. Place your hands over your heart or on your stomach, if you’d like. As you exhale, imagine blowing out all the stress you feel.
- Check in with how you’re feeling and where you feel tension in your body. Be honest about what you’re experiencing. Try not to judge, and instead focus on experiencing relaxation.
During your check-in, you may notice some unwelcome feelings like burnout, stress, and overwhelm. That’s okay! Becoming aware of your feelings is the first step to improving your mood and reducing your lingering holiday stress.
2. Get into nature.
Nature has a powerful way of regrounding us. There’s just something magical about the sound of wind rustling through the trees, watching little birds flitter around, and breathing in the fresh air.
Set aside sometime in the days following your holiday to go for a walk outside. Stroll around the block or check out a nearby park for some extra exercise and decompression. And while you’re out walking, take the time to slow down and notice what’s around you. There’s beauty everywhere.
3. Call a friend.
We all have that one friend who always brightens our day and lifts our mood. Give them a call for some extra laughter. Even better, go do something fun with them! Here are a couple of ideas to inspire your next friend date:
- Plan a nice dinner out so you don’t have to try and work around the craziness at home.
- Spend time painting to get your creative juices flowing again.
- Practice tai chi or yoga at an outdoor park to breathe out all that pent-up stress.
The goal here is to shift your thoughts off your stress and onto something that’ll feel soooo much more positive.
Relief Is Here
It’s true – holidays can be stressful. But there are ways to recover from your jam-packed celebration. Try out one of these activities to help recenter you to the amazing, positive person you are.
If you aren’t feeling quite like yourself, even after trying one of these techniques, please reach out to our office. We’re here to support you all throughout the year – whether it’s a holiday or not!
