Looking to Curb Seasonal Blues? Here Are the Best Ways to Beat Holiday Stress

Now that the holiday season is in full swing with all the parties, crowded stores, food shopping and lists of presents for friends and family, it’s sure to bring you an unwanted gift — stress!

But Harvard doctors claimed you can calm yourself and enjoy all the festivities, whether you have one minute or ten to spare. If you have just one free minute, a great exercise involves breathing in for a three-count, pause for a count of three, then breathe out and pause for another three-count. Repeat the process for a minute.

Got two minutes? Take one complete breath, slowly inhaling and exhaling. At the end of each repetition, count down from ten to zero. If you feel lightheaded, count more slowly and space your breaths further apart.

In a three-minute exercise, you can try muscle relaxation: Start by sitting down and relaxing your facial muscles, allowing your jaw to drop open. Let your shoulders drop, your arms to fall to your sides and your hands to loosen. Let your thighs sink into the chair, your shins and calves become heavy, and your feet become planted to the floor. Breathe in and out slowly, relaxing even more with each breath.

If you’ve got five minutes, you can try self-massage. Begin by kneading the muscles at the back of your neck and shoulders. Use your thumbs to work tiny circles around the base of your skull. Then slowly massage your scalp with your fingertips. To massage your face, use your thumbs and fingertips to make small circles on your forehead, temples and jaw muscles. Your middle fingers can massage the bridge of your nose, working outward over your eyebrows to your temples.

A ten-minute block can be used for a meditation exercise: Sit comfortably in a quiet place and breathe deeply for a couple of minutes. Then imagine yourself in a place that triggers good memories — and experience the sights, smells and feelings of that location.

In addition to the sage advice from the Harvard Medical School experts, try these tips to prevent stress.

Plan ahead for conflicts and make a list if you are hosting an event.

Just say no when holiday commitments become too much to handle.

Set a budget for your holiday spending and stick to it. Be sure not to purchase ultra-pricey gifts that you’ll be paying off well into next year.

Create relaxing surroundings by turning on cheerful music, lighting candles or opening a window or two. Research reveals music and a citrus scent can boost your feelings of well-being.

Maintain healthy habits despite the indulgences of the season. Jog or run as you normally do and snack on fruit or veggies.

Be sure to take a break by enjoying a nap, a walk, a book or a funny movie.