Use A Winter Wind-Down Ritual To Reduce Stress

88% of Americans find Christmas stressful. The top stressors included shopping for gifts, extra cooking, and spending money in general. If you’ve lost a loved one, or have a rocky relationship with your family, the holidays can be even more difficult than usual.

Even if you do just the basics during the winter season, you still have to find extra hours (and money) for presents and holiday feasts. That doesn’t count gasoline and time on the road in a blizzard. When you add all of that up, things can get pretty stressful. From the months of Thanksgiving to New Year’s, you probably have plenty of go-to coping mechanisms for this stressful time of year. However, add these few extra wind-down rituals to your winter routine to reduce stress for the best year yet.

Aim For Better Sleep

You probably stayed up past your bedtime during the holidays trying to get that last batch of cookies done. Let’s not even mention the hours of what seemed to be endless wrapping. If you missed out on your slumber during the Christmas season, it’s time to catch up during your winter wind-down. If you have a difficult time sleeping at night, there are several things you can do to help, like drinking warm milk before bed, lowering the room’s temperature, and using focused breathing. Getting proper rest is absolutely vital to your health, as it can reduce stress, boost your mood, and maintain your immune system.

Go Easy On The Essential Oils

Everyone loves pumpkin spice — in the fall. Beyond that, nobody wants to smell that orange-y goodness. Or taste it, for that matter. So it only makes sense to move on from seasonal essential oils when it’s time to wind down from the winter holiday. Get rid of your candy cane oils and swap them out for something with a fresh aroma. Try lemon or lavender for a welcoming scent that makes you think of springtime. You can use an affordable room diffuser to fill your room with pleasant smells. Alternatively, dab some directly on your wrists or neck.

Get Going On Gratitude Through Guided Meditation

No matter what time of year it is, you can benefit from mediation. Practicing meditation can help balance your emotions, increase your focus, and reduce your anxiety. That goes double for managing holiday stress. For your winter wind-down routine, you can continue to meditate. It might even be helpful to focus on gratitude during your breathing workouts. The free app Insight Timer has guided meditations, including a category for specific Gratitude Meditations. It’s great to consider what you are grateful for, especially during the winter blues.

Continue Feeling Festive But At A Slower Pace

The months after the holiday season aren’t always easy. Just because the fun winter holidays are over doesn’t mean you have to transform into the Grinch until December comes. You can still enjoy your holiday favorites, like hot chocolate, but at a slower pace. During your wind-down ritual, you can sit back and enjoy the weekend without all that go-go-go feeling. So take these tips to calm the nervous system by getting some extra sleep and well-deserved relaxation. You juggled a lot of things this winter season, and you can wind down with positive spirits knowing you accomplished it all.

Create A Relaxing Mood

When it’s time for you to enjoy your winter wind-down, make sure you have the perfect ambiance. Even though you have to wait a while until Christmas, you can still relax by a crackling fireplace for a few hours. If you don’t have a fireplace, opt for some candles that mimic one, like wood-wick candles with particular scents. A soft, instrumental tune can set the mood. Then you curl up with a good book and a cozy blanket under twinkling lights.

You can transform that wintertime stress into complete bliss by adapting these few extra wind-down rituals to your holiday routine. Although the winter can bring lots of joy, from holidays to seasonal sports, it also creates chaos. More people are driving on wintery roads as the to-do lists seem never-ending. Even with extra parties and presents, the holidays aren’t all-that-fun for everyone. Remember to be kind and practice stress management so you can enjoy every month of the year.