5 Ways to Unwind & De-Stress this Holiday Break

Amy Taylor December 19, 2014

There’s no doubt about it – Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But it can be full of stresses too. But while the images of Santa Claus and his reindeers, and gifting ideas fill TV screens, magazines and storefronts, there’s no denying that many people aren’t as cheerful in this special time. Getting through the year-end deadlines, family problems, poor eating habits, fears of socialisation, and more – the holiday season may not be so merry and bright for others. Add all the hassle of preparation, shopping and entertaining guests (and pleasing them!), it can be one of the most stressful times of the year, too. In fact, some experts agree that holiday blues are a very real phenomenon.

We all want one thing this Christmas time – happiness and relaxation. We want to make the most out of vacation and welcome another year with zeal and optimism. Most of us are into the habit of overworking at regular days, so taking advantage of the long holiday can be a relief!

But how do you minimise the year-end stress and unwind more? Consider these tips:

Make kitchen time a family time.

Planning your Christmas menu can be exhausting. What more the grocery shopping, cooking and preparation? But it can be the best time to spend quality with your family, especially your children. Get them involved in the kitchen workaround. Let your kids frost the cake while you prepare the chicken for roasting. Sharing these tasks with your loved ones can be a perfect opportunity to develop special skills and at the same time, strengthen our bond with them.

Do a random act of kindness.

Christmas can be a time of receiving gifts. But it is also a great time for giving. Study after study shows that giving makes us happier more than taking. Practising compassion gives you a wonderful feeling that can last for a long time. Whether it’s buying someone a coffee, sharing your food to a stranger, or giving up your seat in a public transportation, small acts of kindness can really feel rewarding. It can create a big impact on one’s life, and change your perspective too. By doing someone a favour, there is a big chance that the person returns the favour too to others, and the cycle of kindness continues.

Reflect. Give thanks.

Setting aside time to reflect and give thanks to the blessings you have received this year is a meditative act that can greatly lower down your stress levels and make you happier this holiday season. It also helps you focus more on the positive and less on the negative. You probably have met a few new friends, went to beautiful places, received a job promotion, started a business venture, or enrolled at a cooking class – each and every success, no matter how small it is, deserves to be appreciated.

Volunteer.

A 2008 study found that spending money on other people may have a more positive impact on happiness than spending money on oneself. Meanwhile, a 2013 study review published in the BMC Public Health found that volunteering in general helps improve a person’s well-being while decreasing their risk of depression. In this research, common reasons that people cite for volunteering include giving something back to their community or supporting an organization or charity that has supported them. Some people also volunteer to gain work experience or to widen their social circles.

Unplug.

The holiday season can be a great time to step away from your phone and focus more on personal interactions. This month, it’s likely that you’ll see more of your friends and family than the rest of the year. Unfortunately, many people don’t take this opportunity. While they can steer away from the pressure of deadlines and work emails, they still couldn’t unplug from their mobile phones. Remember, the internet is there all year round – waiting for you. But Christmas and Boxing Day only happen once a year. So make the most out of it. Meet with your friends and spend quality time with your family and loved ones in a non-virtual way.