Stressed About the Holidays?

Try these 3 Techniques to Manage the Stress Response!

Maybe hosting events and dealing with crowds while shopping just leads to you feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps you’ve had a recent traumatic event, family conflict, or loss of a loved one and the holidays cause you to feel especially sad or lonely? Rest assured there are coping skills and techniques to help manage stress and get through the holiday season.

Try these easy techniques:

4-7-8 Breath – Dr. Weil’s 4-7-8 breathing technique is based in the yogic traditions and widely used to help fall asleep faster and can activate the parasympathetic nervous system or the relaxation response in the body. This response helps you to shift back towards a state of tranquility. Practice inhaling through the nose for 4 seconds, holding the breath in for 7 seconds and then exhaling through the mouth for a count of 8 seconds. Practicing this twice a day for a few rounds is ideal.

5,4,3,2,1 Grounding – This grounding technique is an excellent way to bring you back to the present moment when your mind is racing. Focus on 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you feel in your body, 3 things you hear in your environment, 2 things that you can smell and then 1 thing you can taste. Allow yourself to focus on each of these things for 10-15 seconds and gently guide your mind back if it wanders.

E.F.T. Tapping – Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a psychological form of acupressure that involves tapping on 14 acupressure points on the face/hands and engaging in some eye movements for bilateral stimulation of the brain. EFT is known to reduce cortisol levels in the body, shift negative emotions and turn on the relaxation response as well. To learn the basics of EFT you can follow along in these videos: https://carolcowan.ca/videos-%26-blog or book an appointment with Carol Cowan at Dalhousie Health and Wellness today to learn more!