With the re-imposed lockdowns and increased safety precautions related to the COVID Omicron variant, it’s safe to say staying sane might be a challenge during this holiday season, yet again. Luckily, we’ve come up with 5 great strategies to help hold on to some happiness this holiday. Follow on for Christmas Lockdown: 5 Ways to Stay Sane during the Festive Period!
1. Keep Cool with Cooking
Just because you won’t be sharing Xmas with extended family, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some tasty food this holiday!
Cooking projects became very popular during the era of Corona, and it’s no wonder! Tactile projects open the mind-body connection and easily soothe our worries by helping us detach from the world around us.
Not only that, working in the kitchen engages all of our senses, activating happy memories of loved ones or even nostalgia of favorite restaurants or vacations. Looking for the perfect holiday recipe that keeps health and wellness in mind? Try this fan-favorite from my previous article, Veganized: 5 Italian Christmas Recipes You’ll LOVE!
2. Merry Meditation
Meditation is another great way to take a break from reality and get in tune with your mind and spirit. Known widely for its role in stress reduction, meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind on a specific object, thought or activity, in order to train one’s attention and awareness.
Studies have shown that meditation can reduce inflammation (a marker of stress) and lessen anxiety. Consider adding meditation to your schedule for more holiday cheer!
3. Yuletide Yoga
Along the same wavelength of meditation is its cousin, yoga. Marrying meditation’s mindfulness to bodily movement and stretching, yoga is a practice which can benefit both the body and mind!
For the body, it has proven benefits on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems, among others. As far as mental benefits go, yoga has been shown to increase serotonin levels, thereby reducing depression. In addition, cortisol levels are lowered with regular yoga practice, which results in less stress and anxiety. Try this flow to bring more zen into your holidays!
4. Sweater Weather Sweat
You’ve heard this from us before, but exercise is so essential for overall health, especially mental health! Because this year has been particularly stressful, it’s imperative that we use this handy tool to combat the mental turmoil this holiday lockdown may bring.
Regular exercise has been shown to decrease anxiety and depression, whilst elevating mood and self-esteem. As far as the particular type of exercise, choose what you prefer ! It can be as simple as a walk or as intense as a Peloton class; research says to simply aim for any physical activity for 45 minutes per session, 5 times a week to reap some immense mental benefits!
5. Familiar Faces
What would holidays be without family and friends? Unfortunately, this year we will (yet again) have to forego the social activity side of things that we’re used to by staying home and keeping physical interactions minimal.
However, COVID isolation this Christmas doesn’t necessarily have to result in social isolation! Fortunately, with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to connect with friends and family virtually. Be it Zoom, FaceTime, or WhatsApp, the options are endless to stay connected! What’s more, science says it’s good for us!
According to the Mayo Clinic, socializing staves off feelings of loneliness, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer! So, don’t let the lockdown make you lonely – visit with your people virtually!
How are you spending your holidays this Christmas period? What are your suggestions for keeping your sanity despite the lockdown? Which of our suggestions above are you inspired to try? Let us know in the comments below, and feel free to join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
