How to Manage Holiday Stress Using Relaxation Techniques
This time of the year, most of us experience a high level of holiday stress. Trying to finish everything you told yourself you’d get done this year in your business, combined with the stress of shopping and family get togethers can create a load of stress all at once. Stress has many different side effects, depending on how individually you can handle it. Although the signs and symptoms may not show as quickly and severely, there are techniques which one can apply to overcome it before it gets overbearing. It is not difficult at all to learn how to manage stress, here are two effective techniques.
Meditation for Relief of Holiday Stress
Meditation is very powerful. Results are immediate, and it helps battle stress effectively in the long run too. There are many different forms of mediation, but the key to this approach is to breathe deeply by using your abdomen to get as much of oxygen possible. The more oxygen you inhale, the more relaxed you feel, and the greater the reduction in anxiety.
In order to be successful, you need to sit comfortably with your back positioned straight. Place one of your hands on your chest while keeping the other on your stomach. Breathe in through your nostrils. The hand placed on the stomach should rise whereas the other hand should slightly move. Exhale orally while you try to push out as much air as possible. Continue this technique, counting every time you exhale until you reach 50.
Muscle Relaxation Technique
In order to best manage stress, you’ll want to know a few different techniques. This is because everyone reacts to stress differently. Some individuals are mentally stressed out whereas others take on physical stress. Their muscles get contracted, causing them muscular pain.
This technique is geared towards the latter. Use the muscle relaxation technique if you have physical stress. The technique starts with the individual getting comfortable in their attire. Take off your socks, shoes, and change into loose clothes if needed. Take a few minutes if required in order to get in to a calm state of mind by breathing deeply.
Now, shift all your attention towards the right foot. Focus on the feeling, slowly, start tensing the muscles in the foot. Squeeze as tightly as you possibly can, count till 10, and then relax. Breathe deeply once again, and do the same with your left foot. Repeat with different parts of your body while working your way upwards.
Did your stress level go down as you tried these techniques?