Managing Holiday Stress the Ayurvedic Way
It’s the most wonderful time of the year……..or, at least it’s supposed to be. But for many the holidays mean more stress than joy. The pressure to have a good time, to get the perfect gift, to decorate the tree just right, to visit all the relatives, or to cook the perfect meal can be overwhelming and create undue stress and tension.
The holiday season falls during the vata time of year - late fall through early winter - when the elements of ether and air are predominant. The qualities of the ether and air elements are depleting, they weaken our immune system, and disrupt our sleep and other daily routines. Layer in the holidays and it’s a perfect storm for vata imbalance to occur.
Vata imbalances often show up as high stress and anxiety, difficulty sleeping, colds/flu/other illness, and digestive discomfort. Sound familiar? If so, you aren’t alone. A 2018 study found that 88% of Americans experience some form of holiday stress.
Each of the ayurvedic dosha respond to stress differently. Those who are predominantly vata dosha may experience anxiety about finances, social anxiety, or just a general sense of uneasiness around the holiday. Pitta dosha often respond to stress by becoming more judgmental and critical of those around them, finding fault with their holiday experience, and feeling more irritable than normal. Kapha dosha folks on the other hand might experience a sense of melancholy, or a lack of motivation around the holidays. Kapha dosha also has a tendency to experience longing for holidays past.
While each dosha might respond to stress differently, there are a few simple, general tips to help all dosha types manage their holiday stress.
🕰️ Stick to a routine. Try to go to bed, get up, and eat your meals at the same time each day to keep your circadian rhythms regulated and create predictability in your day.
🚶🏻♀️Move your body every single day. Take a walk outside, practice yoga, put on some holiday tunes and have a dance party. Just make sure you move it.
🧘🏼♂️ Make time for "quiet time" every day. This can be a seated meditation practice, yoga nidra, or a warm bath. Take time to check in with yourself everyday.
🥗 Nourish your body and mind with healthy foods. The holidays are filled with so many sweets and treats, and if you feed yourself well on a regular basis you can indulge without guilt. Ayurveda likes to follow the 80/20 rule......if you're eating well 80% of the time you should treat yourself 20% of the time.
These 4 simple tips might not keep your holiday totally stress free, but they will go a long way in helping to manage any stress you do experience during the holiday season.