We are all, undoubtedly, looking forward to Christmas and as exciting as it may be festive season can bring a lot of unnecessary stress into our daily lives. From finalising all projects at work to booking our travel to visit family and, of course, braving up the Christmas shopping (both online and in the crowded shops) here are some tips on how to de-stress yourself now to be your best self during holidays later.
TO-DO LISTS
The popular advice on making to-do lists is as relevant right now as ever. It’s popular because it actually works. Writing down your daily and weekly goals and schedules will help you compartmentalise the endless thoughts, plans, errands and meetings by priority and help you feel more productive and organised. And the feeling of ticking each thing when it’s done is something we all enjoy, right?
Some apps that can help you be more organised:
MOVEMENT
No, it doesn’t mean that you need to join the gym (but well done if you are doing it regularly), just try to introduce more movement into your daily life. How about taking the stairs instead of a lift, walking the escalator instead of standing still, taking a scenic walk rather than a shortcut. Or try the revolutionary Japanese towel stretching technique that will improve your body & mind and take only 5 minutes of your day. More movement will help you clear your head and get more energy to tackle your daily tasks like a pro.
SEASONAL FRUIT & VEG
Somehow it’s easier to eat lots of fruits and salads in the summer, don’t you think? When the days get dark and short we often tend to reach for hearty stews, steaming pastas and cheesy pizzas. Our body wants the comfort of the carbs, which tend to make us feel heavy and sluggish. And so the vicious circle continues and drains us of our energy and productivity. Don’t get me wrong, I am not telling you to replace the carbs completely, just make sure that you also add enough fruit and veg to keep your vitamins, immune system and energy levels at check.
Try eating more orange and yellow coloured fruits and vegetables during winter as they are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A, C, Beta Carotene and can help promote a good immune system which is so important during the cold months.
HERBAL TEAS AND WATER
Similar to eating less fruit during winter we tend to drink less water and more caffeine when it gets cold outside. None of that will help you feel more energised. So make sure you drink plenty of water every day (will do miracles to your skin, hair and nails too which tend to suffer from heated spaces and cold outdoors) and don’t overdo it on caffeine – choose herbal teas instead.
SLEEP
Clear and rested head will do wonders to how you feel about this busy holiday season. Try to go to bed before midnight and get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. If you have trouble falling asleep give some of these apps a go:
INSPIRATION AND DIGITAL MINIMALISM
Find time to get inspired and let yourself rest while looking at, reading or doing things that bring you joy and make your senses sing. And if you don’t have time to visit museums, exhibitions or go ice-skating you can get inspired online from the comfort of your sofa. Dedicate some personal time to clean up your phone and your social media of noise and clutter. Unfollow accounts that don’t make you feel good, create some Pinterest moodboards that make you feel inspired and free up some memory space on your phone by deleting apps, contacts and messages that you don’t need anymore.
PROCRASTINATE
Sometimes it’s ok to procrastinate. Perhaps you don’t need to rush every hour of every day and can do something tomorrow instead of today? When was the last time you had a home SPA day or played a board game? It’s perfectly ok to slow down and take some time for yourself. It will recharge you and make you excited to be busy again.
Images: @mvb, @julialundinblog, @laurencefortincote, @pastel.in
