Holiday Stress: 6 Tips to Combat it Naturally

We’re entering our second holiday season in the midst of a pandemic… Holiday stress is often normal thanks to the hustle and bustle of the season, but this year, yet again, for many that stress is heightened.

As we try our best to navigate the season amidst virtual get-togethers, socially distanced visits, and seriously limited shopping options, it’s crucial to take care of yourself, both now, and after the holidays start to wind down.

You don’t want to let the stress of the season impact your ability to enjoy time spent with family and friends, so give yourself a break, take some time for yourself, and work on bringing those stress levels down a notch whenever, and wherever, you can.

How to Combat Holiday Stress Naturally

If you’re feeling a little extra holiday stress (or a lot), for whatever reason, these are simple stress relieving tips that cost very little (or nothing at all) and can seriously kick anxiety to the curb.

1. Exercise

Exercise is honestly one of the best ways to combat stress naturally. Research shows that regular exercise protects against the negative emotional consequences of stress.

What’s really cool is that is research tells us it has a lot to do with your endocannabinoid system – the system that runs all though your body, bringing about balance, or homeostasis. It’s the system within which CBD oil goes to work. Exercise activates the endocannabinoid system, which the leads to reduced stress and the ability to better manage it.

The nice thing is, exercise is something we can all do right now despite Covid-19 restrictions, and in many cases it can be done with family and friends with proper social distancing. Take a walk in the woods and catch up.

2. Soak the Stress Away

There’s a reason a bubble bath is the ultimate in relaxation after a tough day. The hot water soothes away tension and you can sit back and relax.

This isn’t just all in your head. When you sit in a hot bath, your skin releases endorphins in response to the soothing warm water. The hot water can be both therapeutic and reinvigorating because blood flow increases to the skin.

Adding some lavender essential oil can help if the stress is having an impact on your sleep, so add a few drops.

3. Yoga

Yoga is great for your physical health, but there are also tons of mental health benefits of yoga. One of the best is the stress relief. By bringing about a state of relaxation, yoga can help you recenter yourself, helping you maintain positive mental well-being. It can also help with concentration and focus.

And of course pair your yoga with some CBD:

  • Tinctures: Take your CBD oil tincture about 30 minutes before hitting the mat. Breathe deep and let it flow through your endocannabinoid system.
  • Topicals: Apply a CBD salve after you’re finished. Gently massage it into your muscles to work out any residual tightness or tension.

RELATED: Meditation is another age-old technique that can seriously reduce stress. Check this out for tips on how to incorporate it into your routine.

4. Eat These Foods!

Feeding your endocannabinoid system with some of these foods is a great way to help bring the body back to centre, helping combat the impacts of stress and boosting energy.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids increase the synthesis of endocannabinoids and upregulate both CB1 and CB2 receptors
  • Dark chocolate contains one of the main cannabinoids – anandamide – and it can help reduce stress, fight oxidative stress, and lower blood pressure.
  • That daily cup of Joe is a good way to stimulate and support your endocannabinoid system by enhancing the activation of CB1 receptors. 

5. Turn to Tea

There are several herbal teas that people swear by for calming the mind and relieving stress.

Pair CBD with:

  • Valerian root tea for sleep
  • Chamomile tea for calming
  • Peppermint tea for a headache

To make CBD tea, brew your water and let your tea steep for a few minutes. Then, add your preferred dose of CBD oil. You can also add some honey for a bit of natural sweetness.

6. Holiday Recipes

Tea is great for relaxation, but sometimes a cookie, some nice chocolate bark, or even a delicious bowl of guac can help you relax… especially when you’ve added CBD to the mix. Savory or sweet, there’s always something that’ll hit he spot. And they say baking is a good stress-reliever!

We’ve got the recipes, you just need the ingredients:

We wish you all the best this holiday season. Take a moment or two for yourself and let the stress wash away! Seasons Greetings!