Navigating the Ho Ho Holiday Chaos: Your Guide to Reducing Anxiety & Stress

As the holiday season swirls around us, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of festivities, shopping, cooking, and non-stop social gatherings. It's no wonder that stress and anxiety levels can skyrocket. While it's a joyous time, it can also be incredibly stressful and anxiety-inducing for many. However, there are tangible steps to stay clear and calm during this chaotic period, and one tool that can be particularly helpful in achieving this is a wellness app like "minder" by obVus Solutions. Let’s explore strategies to reduce anxiety and stress during the holiday season and how using minder can be a daily companion to help us stay grounded and relaxed.

Prioritize Self-Care Amidst the chaos, it's crucial to prioritize self-care. Carve out time for yourself, whether it's a few minutes of meditation, a warm bath, or a relaxing cup of tea. Remember to be patient with yourself and be mindful that the holidays won’t last forever. Set some boundaries and be sure to take some time away from the chaos to be alone. Try to understand why you might be experiencing negative emotions. For some people, negative emotions might be related to unrealistic expectations or goals of themselves around the holidays, or from feeling overwhelmed. Readjust goals so they are specific and attainable.(1)  minder can be your ally here, as it offers guided breathing exercises that you can access whenever you need a moment of calm for yourself.

Set Realistic Expectations Sometimes, the pressure to create a perfect holiday can lead to unnecessary stress. Remember that it's okay to set realistic expectations and focus on what truly matters: spending time with loved ones. Often in our holiday enthusiasm we list too many tasks and get overwhelmed by trying to do them all. (2)

Try to follow these four steps to set goals that you can feel confident in achieving: 

1. Make a realistic list 
2. Create a happy activity to do daily 
3. Take breaks throughout the day
4. Reward your accomplishments with something that sparks joy.  

minder reminds you to take a break before you THINK you need it. Taking breaks throughout the day to move, meditate and connect with others will reduce stress and allow you to regain focus. minder allows users to build a wellness plan that suits their own unique needs and you can set custom reminders to encourage breaks throughout the day.

Stay Active Physical activity is a powerful stress-reliever. Even a short walk or a quick workout can help you stay energized and reduce anxiety. Physical activity during the holidays may be more important than at any other time of the year. Exercise can help you combat stress, prevent weight gain, help maintain your good habits, and get you off the couch! A consistent workout routine can boost endorphins after only 5 minutes of exercise. (3)  minder offers fitness tracking capabilities and reminders to get up and move around to boost your energy and manage your anxiety.

Mindful Eating With holiday feasts in abundance, it's easy to overindulge and feel sluggish. Mindful eating practices can help you savor your meals and maintain a balanced approach to nutrition. minder allows you to log all your meals and snacks so you build healthy habits around food and nutrition. 

4 Tips for More Mindful Eating (4)

• Reflect: Before you begin eating, take a moment to reflect upon how you feel. Are you rushed? Stressed? Sad? Bored? Hungry? What are your wants, and what are your needs? Differentiate between the two. 
• Sit down: Don’t eat on the go. Have a seat. You’re less likely to appreciate your food when you are multitasking. It’s also difficult to keep track of how much you are eating when you snack on-the-go.
• Turn off all your screens: Have you ever glanced down from your phone or tablet or computer, only to wonder where all the food went? These distractions make us less aware of what and how much we are eating.
• Pick the smaller plate: You might crave less if you see less. Smaller plates will help you with your portion control — an especially good strategy for those all-you-can-eat buffets.

 
Digital Detox Constantly checking social media or email can be a significant source of stress. Give yourself permission to disconnect from your devices for a while. Digital detoxing is a great way to improve your mental health while building strong family bonds. Time without digital devices may allow you to become more mindful of unhealthy online habits and give you the chance to create a more meaningful routine.Evidence also suggests that heavy device use, particularly prior to bedtime, can interfere with sleep quality and quantity. minder helps you build healthy habits around your bedtime routine. You can use breathing exercises, meditation, and ambient sounds to help you get to sleep faster.
 

The Power of "minder" by obVus Solutions Now, let's explore how "minder" by obVus Solutions can be your daily companion for staying grounded and relaxed, not just during the holiday season but all year round.

• Personalized Wellness: minder is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It customizes its recommendations and content to your specific needs and goals. Whether you want to focus on stress reduction, sleep improvement, or fitness, minder adapts to your preferences, ensuring that you receive content that resonates with you.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: The app offers a wide range of mindfulness and meditation exercises. These guided sessions can help you center yourself, manage stress, and build resilience. Whether you have a few minutes or a bit more time to spare, minder has sessions to suit your schedule.
• Comprehensive Goal Setting: The goal-setting feature in minder allows you to establish clear, achievable objectives for your wellness journey. Whether it's increasing your daily steps, drinking more water, reducing screen time, or improving sleep quality, minder helps you track your progress and celebrate your successes.
• Data and Insights: minder syncs with Apple Health and provides insights into your wellness metrics, helping you understand your habits and areas where you can improve. By staying informed about your progress, you can make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
• Daily Reminders and Notifications: minder keeps you on track with your wellness routines by sending gentle reminders and notifications. It's like having a personal wellness coach in your pocket, encouraging you to prioritize self-care.
• All-in-One Wellness Hub: With its diverse features, minder serves as a one-stop-shop for your wellness needs. You don't need multiple apps for meditation, fitness tracking, and journaling – minder combines these elements into a seamless, holistic wellness experience.

In conclusion, the holiday season doesn't have to be a source of stress and anxiety. By implementing practical strategies like self-care, exercise, mindful eating, and incorporating the powerful wellness app minder into your daily routine, you can navigate the holidays with a sense of calm and clarity. Enjoy the festivities, prioritize your well-being, and make this holiday season a time of pure joy and relaxation.

Sources 

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/self-care-strategies-holiday-season-2017121812926 
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/keep-it-in-mind/202112/how-goal-setting-is-achievable-during-the-holidays 
3. https://virtualhealthpartners.com/4-reasons-to-stay-active-during-the-holidays-and-beyond/ 
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-mindful-eating-just-in-time-for-the-holidays-201511248698