Though we wish the holiday season were slower-paced and more relaxing, it’s often one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. Work and social obligations, finances, kids’ school breaks, and family concerns are a strenuous load on our mental and physical energy.
We have a few ideas to help you manage the stress this holiday season.
Adapt with adaptogens
Our bodies are incredible adapters. Did you know that certain natural substances can help us adapt to and manage taxing situations?
Adaptogens are plants that help your body adjust to stress. They also help stimulate your body’s stress-protection response and help you return to a balanced state.
Ashwagandha, extracted from an evergreen bush grown in India and the Middle East, is an adaptogen known for its positive effect on anxiety and stress.
One study examined how ashwagandha affected people experiencing chronic stress. Half the group was given an ashwagandha supplement daily, while the other group had a placebo. During the 60-day experiment, researchers measured participants’ cortisol (stress hormone) levels and had the participants report their stress level.
When compared with the placebo group, the ashwagandha group reported improvement in how stressed and anxious they felt. The level of cortisol in their blood also dropped significantly.(1)
Put your health–including mental health–first
Even when the schedule feels hectic, maintain your exercise routine, eat a (reasonably) healthy diet, and get good sleep. It’s easy to let those things slide when you’re busy, but that’s just when you need them most to combat stress and keep your body feeling good.
Determine the most important activities to you and prioritize those on the calendar. It’s OK to say “no” to requests and events. Tuck this phrase in your pocket and pull it out when you need to: “I wish I could, but I can’t commit to that right now.”
Reserve a few minutes each day to sit in silence, breathe, and reflect. You can’t slow everyone and everything else, but you can pause and take care of yourself.
Set yourself up for a more restful and fulfilling holiday season. We’re here to help.
Let’s get healthier, together,
Your friends at Santo Remedio
References
1. Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255–262.
URL: https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.106022
