The best ways to relax this holiday season
With the holiday season upon us, it’s all about taking some well-deserved time off. But, how do you get that proper relaxed, downtime feeling? Well, we have got some great ideas to help you let go and truly enjoy your holiday. Here are just a few things you can do to wind down and take your mind off work and worries.
Better sleep
For many of us, we’re on a schedule to get up for work, which means a strict bedtime and morning alarm. Well, on holiday, that alarm can go right out the window. However, we’re not saying you should go to bed late either as that can affect your sleep cycle. Of course, part of the fun of holidays is not having to meet those early bedtime requirements, so it’s time to stay up late for a night or two. But, keeping a good sleep schedule helps to promote proper sleep. You can simply shift it back a little to get those eight hours plus a little lie-in in the morning to boot.
With better sleep and no stress of having to wake up early, you may find that your body does a little extra sleep. Sleep debt is a real thing, and taking some extra hours for some shut-eye is the best way to get refreshed when you do eventually head back to work.
Read a book
We’ve all got a stack of books on our to-be-read list but never have enough time to get around to it. Well, now is the time. Picking up a good book and immersing yourself in the story is a great way to go somewhere else in your head. Reading is a way of forgetting about day-to-day life, work, and so on, and can spirit you away for hours at a time. Better still, the more time spent reading, the less you’re on your phone (more on that later!). Impressively, reading a book has been proven to reduce stress levels by up to 68% in just six minutes.
Get out of the house
If you’re usually in an office or stay at home once you get back from work, then it’s time to get out of the house. Going for a walk, even if it’s just a short one, is a great way to get healthy. Not only that, but it gets you moving in different ways that can help to ease any stiffness. With some blood pumping, especially after a brisk early morning stroll, you’ll feel far more prepared to tackle whatever the world can throw at you.
Ditch the screens
This is one of the hardest things on our list to accomplish these days, but it’s also one of the most useful. Reducing the amount of time you spend on your phone, laptop or TV is a great way to de-stress. Okay, so we’re aware that you might not be able to take a total detox, but limiting your hours on a phone or app can help to reduce stress. If you can’t manage to stay away from your phone all day, then try to avoid it later in the evening, specifically putting it away at least an hour before you plan to sleep. Not looking at your phone just before bed will help promote much better sleep.
Treat yourself
Finally, you do need to be flexible and to be able to treat yourself once in a while. And yes, we do mean fun snacks, foods, and flavorsome treats. For instance, if you want a tingle and nicotine buzz, but don’t want to smoke, just pick your favorite nicotine pouches from SnusDirect or treat yourself to a new flavor. Alternatively, it might be time to snack on your favorite crisps, cheese, crackers, or chocolate. Whatever gives you a little buzz or dopamine hit, it’s time to relax and enjoy it this holiday.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of what you can do to relax. You do need to have structure but maintain flexibility. Additionally, you can also practice mindfulness or meditation techniques if that’s more for you. Getting creative and working on a project you’ve always planned, or simply taking the time to spend with family are also excellent ways to properly relax and recharge. Remember, this time is for you!
