Kat’s Movement Mission | Beat Christmas Stress

Christmas season is upon us, and advent has already started! I know that this time of year is so busy for many people, and is very stressful for many as well. It can also be a very lonely and isolating time of year, which of course is stressful as well.

Read more about yoga for stress and anxiety in this complete guide

It’s a time when we need to look after ourselves even more than usual, our bodies can really struggle when we’re feeling stress, and that’s in addition to the extra stresses that many of us put on our bodies at this time of year with drinking and eating foods that don’t support us.

So I thought I’d let you know my tips for keeping the Christmassy stress to a minimum this year:

1. We’re launching our newest Winter Warmer series this week!! Wooop!!! This is a fabulous collection of classes designed to warm you up from the inside out and keep your immune system protected. DO take time out, every day, ESPECIALLY in December, when we’re too busy, to roll out your mat and look after ourselves. As the Zen proverb says ‘You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day – unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour’. There’s some truth in this!! Those who, like me, are just too stressed and busy to meditate and practice are the ones who REALLY need it!
2. Keep nourishing yourself with wholesome food. Again, too busy to cook for yourself? So make big batches of lovely organic, wholesome soup to keep yourself warm and nourished when you’re overwhelmed.
3. Perhaps explore how essential oils can help to support you. I diffuse lavender oil at night to keep me relaxed and calm, and when I’m feeling a bit under the weather, I use Doterra’s On Guard, which seems to do the trick. You might want to read my blog on how to keep colds at bay.
4. Keep in mind that Christmas is the time for compassion. For yourself as well as others. If you feel yourself getting overwrought, just do the meditation where you feel what you feel, feel exactly where that feels. I love Toby’s Mindfulness Thoughts and the meditation is wonderful too. Remember to keep the whole ‘Christmas’ thing in perspective and compassion is the only thing that matters.
5. Practice gratitude each and every day. Practice your gratitude to yourself, to others, and really make time to imagine and then appreciate all of the people, the animals, the way that the world has given to you so that you can have the things that you have in your daily world.

I do hope that these help you and wishing you a peaceful start to Christmas season

With love