3 Tools to Help You Take a Break and Relax (Right Now)

If you are like me, you probably get tired of all the advice we are given – from social media, blogs, the news, our family. And one of the most common topics is “how to avoid getting overly stressed during the holidays” (which is helpful). But, to be honest, I don’t need more information. I just need to do some of what I already know I should.

So, I thought I’d take a different approach this week. I’m going to give you some tools to take a break and relax right now (while you are reading this).

Tool #1: Humor

Humor, especially laughter, breaks us out of the “I’ve got so much to do” mindset, and actually resets some of our body chemistry.

Some Christmas pranks and fails. (2:24 is a favorite).

Christmas puns and jokes.  

Tool #2: Music

Music (especially instrumental music) is an amazing gift that engages totally different areas of our brain.

Choose one or more of your favorite styles and listen for a few minutes (and consider playing it in the background while you do some work).

              Smooth Jazz Christmas Music

              Traditional Christmas Carols (instrumental)

              Classical (orchestral) Christmas music

              Nature sounds

Tool #3: Breathing and Visualization

Our minds and our bodies are intertwined, sending messages to one another. One way to impact how we are thinking and feeling (especially feeling stressed and uptight) is to do some things with our body that will change our thinking.

Action 1: Take some deep breaths. Inhale deeply, hold the breath for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale through your mouth. Do that 3-4 times. Then stretch your neck and move your head around. Take another deep breath.

Action 2: Close your eyes, change your position in your chair, move your feet a little to get the blood flowing. Then think of a positive holiday memory (it can be with family, or someplace you have fond memories of) and “see it” again in your mind. Enjoy and be grateful for that memory.

Hope you enjoyed the break and find these tools useful whenever you start to feel overwhelmed.

Categories Burnout, Busyness, Holidays, Stress management

Published by Paul White

December 11, 2023 9:00 am