While the holidays are centered around peace, joy, and excitement, many people find that the season can quickly become overwhelming and stressful.

There is much to be excited about during this time of year, but sometimes amid the whirlwind of gifts, events, large crowds, and holiday activities, anxiety and tension inevitably creep in.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to relieve your stress this holiday season, so you can get back to enjoying the festivities with your loved ones!

1. Gentle Exercise

When you engage in gentle exercise, your body releases stress-fighting hormones called endorphins. These endorphins aid in pain relief, improved sleep quality, and give you a much-needed mood boost during the hectic holiday season.

Great examples of gentle exercises include:

• Yoga
• Walking
• Cycling
• Pilates
• Cleaning
• Gardening
• Swimming

Engaging in gentle exercise for at least 30 minutes a day will help to keep your stress levels at bay, so that you have more energy to focus on enjoying the holiday activities with your friends and family.

2. Unplug

Smartphones, tablets, and computers are often used as a way to de-stress and escape the present moment. Unfortunately, what we view as a harmless distraction may actually be feeding our stress.

We check our phones the moment we wake up, while we make a cup of coffee, when we go on walks, and while we’re spending time with friends and family.

The constant barrage of information can set off our fight-or-flight response, which means that our bodies are constantly flooded with stress hormones throughout the day.

After any length of time, this constant state of fight-or-flight takes an enormous toll on our mental and physical health. To combat this, it is important to take action by unplugging more often throughout the day.

Since this additive habit can seem tough to break, here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Turn off notifications for emails, social media, and other apps
• Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning
• Keep your devices (including your phone) in another room
• Make social media less accessible by removing the apps from your devices

If just the thought of unplugging for extended periods of time makes you feel anxious, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Small, actionable steps add up over time.

Try to begin with 15 minutes of uninterrupted “me time” without the use of a phone, computer, or tablet. Once you’ve mastered that, move up to 30 minutes. As you make this a daily habit, it will get easier with time. Eventually, you may find that you aren’t really missing it as much as you thought you would!

3. Make a Plan

The holidays are fun, exciting, eventful, and sometimes a bit chaotic. To ensure that you can make the most of this time of year, it helps to make a plan for your upcoming events or social gatherings.

Taking a few minutes to write things down helps to get the thoughts out of your head, and alleviates the stress of having to remember dozens of little details about upcoming events. A journal is a great way to jot down ideas, to-do lists, or any little notes about details you’ll need to remember.

Another great way to make a plan is to grab a whiteboard calendar that will allow you to mark special dates, make notes, and create a schedule to help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

4. Continue With Healthy Habits

We get it, the holidays are a time to let loose, have fun, and relax! However, in the midst of the fun and special treats that come along with the season, it’s important to continue with your healthy habits to help you cope with stress.

While there is no shortage of cookies, hot cocoa, and comfort meals around the house during this time of year, our bodies need nutrients to thrive.

In the midst of your holiday treats, late nights, and high-energy events, be sure to continue eating nutritious meals, stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and take some time each day to decompress.

5. Get Adequate Sleep

With so much going on during the holiday season, it’s easy to abandon your sleep schedule in favor of gatherings with friends and family. When you sleep, you are decreasing cortisol levels, boosting your immune system, and decreasing anxiety.

With the whirlwind that comes along with the holiday season, regulating stress hormones, supporting the immune system, and keeping anxiety at bay are crucial to maintaining optimal health during this time of year.

Getting adequate sleep will help you cope with the stressful side of the holiday season, ensuring that you have more energy to enjoy the fun!

6. Prioritize Self-Care

During the holidays, we spend most of our time and energy worrying about others, and tend to neglect our own needs. In the midst of all the holiday stress, it is important to prioritize self-care to keep your mind and body running like well-oiled machines.

Some simple ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine include:

• Mediate for 10 minutes
• Take some time between events to recharge
• Practice mindfulness
• Keep a journal to let out your emotions and express gratitude
• Learn a few deep breathing techniques
• Spend some time every day doing something you enjoy

Self-care isn’t just face masks and bubble baths (although we love those too!), it’s also about tuning in to your physical and emotional well-being to ensure that your needs are being met during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

7. Talk to Friends and Family About Stress

If you notice yourself bubbling over with stress, anxiety, or overwhelm, sometimes the best thing to do is to talk to your friends and family about your stress levels. Everyone wants more opportunities to get more enjoyment out of the holidays, and most would be willing to assist their loved ones who may be struggling.

If you need to vent, unload some responsibilities, or express concerns, take some time to talk to your loved ones about how they can support you during this stressful time.

8. Spend Time in Nature

One of the best ways to destress and recharge is to spend time in nature. Going for a brisk walk, a quick hike, or even just having your morning coffee amongst the birds and trees is a great way to gather your thoughts and release some tension.

Spending time in nature can help with so many things, including:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Ruminating thoughts
• Feelings of disconnection
• Anxiety

Spending about 30 minutes a day outside in the fresh air can help you gain a more positive outlook on the holiday season, and alleviate some of the stress that prevents you from enjoying this time of year to the fullest extent.

9. Hydrotherapy

To really melt your troubles away, engage in some hydrotherapy by soaking in a nice, warm hot tub! Spending just 15-20 minutes a day in a hot tub has been proven to bring balance to your nervous system, and significantly reduce stress levels.

Since water gives your body more buoyancy, soaking in a hot tub gives you a sense of weightlessness, allowing your muscles and joints to fully relax.

Not only do hot tubs help relieve stress and promote relaxation, but they also provide:

• Better sleep quality
• Improved cardiovascular health
• A way to burn calories
• Balanced hormones
• Improved mood
• Pain relief

Hot tubs are a convenient, comfortable way to enjoy a variety of health benefits without leaving the comfort of your home.

10. Schedule Hot Tub Service

With so much hustle and bustle during the holiday season, there is always something new to worry about. To continue enjoying all of its health benefits and keep it running smoothly, be sure to schedule a hot tub service to ensure that your personal spa is there when you need it most during this stressful time of year.

A professional hot tub technician will be able to:

• Thoroughly clean your hot tub
• Inspect the hot tub for any signs of damage or leaks
• Check all devices and fittings to ensure that everything is working optimally
• Monitor and balance the chemicals in the water

Could professional hot tub service help to ease your stress this holiday season and beyond? Schedule service at Sundance Spas of Jackson Hole today to get started!

Final Words - Managing Stress During The Holidays

The holidays are a stressful time of year for almost everyone, but there are plenty of steps that can be taken to alleviate some of the holiday stress. Incorporating healthy habits, planning, sleep, self-care, spending time in nature, and gentle exercise into each day will do wonders for your physical and mental health.

In addition, a daily dose of hydrotherapy will help to melt away the stress and tension that often comes along with intricate holiday plans and exciting social events.

Our team of experts at Sundance Spas of Jackson Hole are always here to support you. Your health and well-being is our top priority, so our skilled technicians work diligently to ensure that your spa is always in tip-top shape.

Contact us today to learn more about how a hot tub technician can help you manage your holiday stress!