Happy frigging holidays: frugal ways to deal with stress

-By Lisa

It’s a stressful time of year. Sure, it’s joyous and whatever too, but many people feel a money crunch, time stress and family pressures. It’s easy to claim that massages and spa days will fix what ails you, but we don't have to throw money at our problems, do we?

Leave

Go for a walk. It’s getting chilly, but just bundle up and get out there. Even a few minutes of fresh air can help your circulation, clear your head and get you re-connected to nature.

Talk

Sometimes venting is necessary and talking to a good friend can be incredibly therapeutic. I’ve been known to start conversations with “I don’t need you to fix anything, but can I just vent about this?” That lets people off the hook for thinking they are somehow responsible for making it better.

Move

I am a yoga fanatic; I think the benefits are endless for mind, body and spirit. The best thing is that you can do it at home without fancy equipment. Don’t worry if you are clumsy and not flexible, just check out some yoga websites and try a few gentle postures. I start my day with a Sun Salutation which is a great one for beginners.

Drink

I mean tea. There is just something really soothing in a good cup of tea. With so many decadent flavors, taking time to just sit and stare into a teacup has given me great perspective on any number of annoyances. Add to that the medicinal purposes of many types of tea, and you might just fix that sore throat or upset stomach, too.

Give

I always feel better about my own situation when I am able to get out of my own head and help someone else. Volunteering or just doing something thoughtful (like baking cookies for a neighbor) brings an abrupt end to my pity party.

Write

Writing is my outlet. I can’t tell you how many angry letters I have written to people, compete with outlandish accusations and inventive usage of swear words. It’s wonderful to find that once I wrote it out, it was unnecessary to send it. It's saved a few relationships, too.

Laugh

This is a bit of the “fake it til you make it” philosophy. Laughing reduces endorphins, lowers blood pressure and stress hormones while increasing immune function. Plus, it’s definitely infectious. Try to keep a straight face while watching this.

Eat

I know you want to eat ice cream. Buckets and buckets of ice cream. But choosing foods that are good for you – like fruits, veggies and whole grains, will make you feel better about yourself and will help your body process the stress it is feeling.

Purge

I get really stressed when my environment is cluttered. When it takes me fifteen minutes to find my purse - I am far from peaceful. Carving out some time to organize my home and get rid of anything I don't need, pays off big time.

Meditation has been the most effective way of dealing with my stress. Everyone thinks their mind is too busy to meditate, but something really changes when you take a few moments to breathe and become aware of the present moment. It’s not easy, but it's so worth it. Having a support system is really helpful with this, so check out mediation groups in your town. In Charlottesville, we are lucky to have several meditation organizations that offer groups, such as the the UVA Mindfulness Center and Insight Meditation Community.

So, let's just take a deep breath and we'll all make it through this joyous season in one piece.

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STSL is closing up shop for the holidays, as Katherine and I will be traveling and spending time with our families. We wish you a very peaceful and happy holiday season!

We'll be back soon, but until then - simplify, simplify, simplify.

For more from Lisa, check out www.justherejustnow.com