When I was asked to contribute to an article for The Lady magazine on beating holiday stress I knew exactly what they meant! The idea of a family holiday is always so fantastic, the plans so fun to make but the reality can be ever so different. The girls and I recently went on a little road trip from Austria to Croatia and the Italy. By the time I had packed the car my stress levels were elevated – to say the least! 😉
The article on beating holiday stress pulls together different experts and their tips:
I love the REST: (Retreat, Eat, Sleep, Treat) guide by physical intelligence experts Claire Dale and Patricia Peyton. They offer these tips to help use the summer months to unwind and control our stress levels.
I also love the tip from happiness researcher, Dr Andy Cope who is keen for us to have more happiness moments, and that we share them:
Here’s the challenge. I’d like to up the ante and announce when you’re having a happy moment. You can celebrate it however you want, from a Harry Met Sally orgazmatron to punching of the air or a heel clicking dance around the grocery isle.
Notice your moments and announce them to the world. ‘I’m having a happiness moment…’
I love that! And I am sure it helps to feel less stressed! I am set to try this! I wonder if anyone notices? 😉
To me beating stress levels is all about adding lots of bite-sized nuggets of de-stressors into everyday life.
To me it is much more beneficial to add 2 or 3 short exercises into my day than having one long sit down meditation a week let’s say…
- practice a mindful walk where you focus on what is actually happening inside and outside of you
- stretch your body, your limbs, move and refresh.
- Have a mantra at hand and repeat it several times. Such as ‘this too shall pass’ is a popular one that always reminds me that the stress I am experiencing is most likely temporary…so why not get over it asap!
The full article is here for you to read! I hope you will find a top or two useful for that unavoidable stressful holiday moment!
