Manage holiday stress with these 10 tips to survive the silly season (good for any time of the year!)

These ideas are not rocket science… they may be things you already know, but do yourself a favour and try them out anyway…

Some may work better for you than others, but by exploring these you will likely remember other ‘fix ’em ups’ you have forgotten. And create a list of what works – one proven way to manage stress, holiday and otherwise, is to be able to deal with the endless dross of life. I first published this article back in 2009 when I was super busy setting up my clinic in Highgate Hill – but these are even more relevant these days when we just don’t seem to have any time to stop!

So here we go – 10 ways to manage holiday stress – good for anytime!

1. Use the Dennison Re-patterning Process when life feels to overwhelming. This is a fundamental part of Brain Gym(r) and helps to refocus and re-organise our system to keep-on keeping-on in a relaxed and playful way. If you don’t know it, learn it! It really is a useful way to stay integrated despite way to much stress! (Get in touch if you want to know more).

2. Let go of the roles that are keeping you stuck. Our roles, the hats we wear, create enormous expectations. Many of them are not useful, especially at this time of year. In fact, would we even need to manage holiday stress if we let go of some of these?!!)  Step outside of the roles and figure out what you WANT to do and let go of what you SHOULD do.

*** Should’s do not bring us happiness, nor do they keep the peace or make anyone else happy. Why? Because we too often end up bitter and resentful because we haven’t listened to our own wants and needs. Make it a priority to find a way to make peace with your ‘obligations’ and your needs. ***

3. Go for a swim in the sea. Salt water is very cleansing for our energy system and those ozones by the seaside contain a serious feel good factor. If you can’t get to the sea fill the bath and add a good handful or two of sea salt. Or put a big handful of sea salt in a soft flannel and rub it all over under the shower. You will be amazed at how energised you feel after you have rinsed away all that stale energy you’ve been carrying. 

4 . Keep communicating. This sounds simple but many of us give up communicating when we get busy. It becomes too hard. Recognise when you are finding it too much to talk and take a breath and initiate conversation with someone, anyone! That conversation may be about something important to you – or just to connect. Most of us need a meaningful contact with at least one other personeveryday to keep us sane.  It doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful. Or even anyone close. I remember a time when the only daily contact I had was with a lovely woman in a fruit and veg shop. Our conversations gave me that boost I needed in a very dark time.

5. Keep relaxed by keeping moving. Sounds a little weird but we do stay more relaxed with some movement in our life. It isn’t easy for many of us, including me, to remember to move, but it does make a difference. Even a 10 minute run or a stroll around the block can help to manage the stress. Include movement everyday as a non negotiable.

6. Remember that your senses, especially smell and sound, are great tools to utilise in helping you to relax. Nice smells and calming music are used by 5 star spas all over the world to help you to relax in their environs. Take a tip and use it at home.

7. Have a rest. Sleep is important. And if it is getting scarce then power naps may be the answer. My mother (a mother of 5 who worked full time) got me addicted to these when my boys were small. Close your eyes for 5, 10 or 20 minutes. No longer. Allow yourself to completely relax during this time. If you want something guided then try Insight Timer – I love the Yoga Nidra’s on offer in there. When you keep it short you do not get the ‘duh’ feeling of a long afternoon nap, you just wake feeling refreshed and ready for action. 

8. Keep up your nutrition, don’t rely on takeaways. There are lots of super quick and nutritious meals you can get at the supermarket. And keep an eye on your minerals. We think that vitamins are important but for many of us it is the trace minerals that are lacking. Our ancient soil is pretty mineral light and our bodies can get very depleted before any symptoms show. Talk to your local health food shop and get a good supplement if you are feeling tired or out of sorts.

If your digestion is not what it should be then try liquid forms of supplementation. Or all natural. One of my go-to supplements is Vital All-In-One (used to be called Vital Greens) which is made from real food so is very digest-able. I have been using and recommending it (almost always tests up a definite yes) for many years – you can buy on-line (I am not an affiliate – just love the stuff) or in any health food shop. ***You are looking for the cumulative factor here, so even if you aren’t good at taking whatever works for daily, just take it regularly as you remember.*** 

For those who are not sleeping, especially if you are a worrier and having some muscle cramps, then consider magnesium, it can be a miracle mineral. And is extremely important in helping manage stress. (note this is not a prescription – talk to a qualified nutritional counsellor before undertaking any intensive vitamin or mineral therapy).

9. Own your choices. Once you decide to do something commit to it. Or commit to stopping it. While I understand this may be hard, and skirting around, not committing can feel easier – but in the end it is harder – why? Because when something goes wrong we can regret our decision and start to wish we had done something different. And hindsight is always 20/20.

When we own our decisions, we take the pressure off. We can start to accept that they were the best we could do at the time – otherwise we would have done something else!!!  Accepting this creates a space for peace and the ability to be in the present. It is what it is. 

10. Learn to recognise when you feel great and when you don’t. We need to know when our up and downs are normal and when they are not. We will all have times when life becomes too much and we need a doona day. But sometimes that just is not enough. Look for free resources. Insight Timer is awesome, and so are the many free counselling services around.  You can find my freebies here 😉 – I highly recommend my “little help during challenging times” series. Don’t waste your one wild and precious life! 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.

Gayx

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******** This was written with the intention of helping you to live your best life, if you want to know more about how I can help you Create The Life You Want To Live please get in touch! *******

Copyright 2009 / edited and republished 2025 Gay Landeta, Create The Life You Want To Live. All rights reserved.