We’re knee-deep in that post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas period that I not-so-fondly refer to as the Crazy Days. For me, it begins with giving and grading final exams. Then there’s the shopping, the social events, the rich food, the holiday beverages . . . all of it can get to be a little overwhelming.
Coming together with friends and family–in whatever configuration you’ve chosen–is good medicine for the soul. But no matter how much you might enjoy seeing those you love and celebrating together, there will be moments in the upcoming weeks when you need to practice a little self-care. For those of us who are introverts, a little additional self-care is probably in order.
Here are a few suggestions that might help you keep the Crazy Days peaceful and pleasant. Or, as peaceful and pleasant as they can be.
Take a moment
See that fleshy spot between your thumb and forefinger? In Chinese acupressure, this is called the hoku point. Use the thumb and forefinger of your opposite hand to apply gentle pressure for thirty seconds. (I usually do this while breathing deeply and closing my eyes for a slow count of thirty, but you don’t have to close your eyes if you’re in public. It works either way.)
This technique is good for stress relief, but it’s also effective for headaches and general pain management. Keep this in mind the next time you’re enduring a long day of shopping or stuck in holiday traffic.
Eat right
Also good for you: spicy food. It’s been shown to spark the release of endorphins (the same feel-good hormones you get from a really good workout) as well as serotonin (the neurotransmitter that helps your brain let you feel happy.) So go ahead, have Thai food for lunch while you’re out shopping. Self-care can be tasty as well as good for you.
As always, it’s good to balance holiday treats with fresh fruits and veggies. This time of year, I try to keep baby carrots and pre-washed broccoli florets in the refrigerator at all times–just to make healthy snacking as easy as possible.
Turn up the jams
On the way home from a holiday engagement, crank up your music player. A study done at the University of Maryland showed that listening to music you enjoy had noticeable positive effects on subjects’ blood pressure and heart rate, as well as their general state of mind.
Even if you’ve had a long day of holiday shopping or socializing and crave a little peace and quiet, listening to music might help you arrive home in a good mood. At the very least, listening to your own music might scrub your brain of those annoying holiday tunes that seem to be in perpetual circulation.
Tea time
When you finally get home, enjoy a cup of green tea with honey and lemon. Green tea is high in theanine, known to have calming properties; honey has antioxidants, which promote heart health and boost your immune system; the scent of citrus has been show to alleviate stress and anxiety. Also? Lemons are an excellent source of Vitamin C–another immune system booster. Don’t forget that it’s cold and flu season, too.(I know, you definitely need one more thing to remember during the Crazy Days.)
Be kind
Let’s forget about holiday madness for a minute. You probably know that being kind is good for your soul–but did you know it’s also good for your body? It turns out that selfishness actually raises your level of cortisol, the hormone that makes you feel stressed out; generosity brings cortisol levels down. This goes a long way toward explaining why mean-spirited people also tend to also be stingy.
Your acts of kindness don’t have to be large. Last week I helped an older shopper separate two shopping carts that were stuck together at the grocery store; this morning I let another shopper get in the checkout line ahead of me, since she only had one purchase and I had a bunch.Just keeping kindness in the mix will help you feel better about the Crazy Days–along with everyone who benefits from your giving spirit.
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