Holiday Peace: 4 Simple Strategies for Joy and Calm

Written By Leslie McReynolds
Woman drinking coffee with holiday lights

Take time for yourself.

The holiday season is once again upon us. What a complicated and stressful time! For some, it’s a time for joyful celebrations and gift-giving, for others, it's a time of dread or grief. Whatever your unique situation, these next few months can be incredibly stressful, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Let’s look at 4 creative, practical, and inexpensive ways to manage your stress to feel more calm and peaceful. Life is hard, and life is fabulous. I want you to find some joy, peace, and laughter, no matter how hard life is. 

Creating or Looking at Art

Did you know that looking at and making art will help reduce feelings of stress and loneliness? Research proves that looking at art can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. 

Studies show that high stress, isolation, and loneliness are on the rise in America, leading to a higher risk of developing heart disease, anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Engaging with art (either looking or making) can have a huge impact on your mental health, especially during the holiday season when stress and loneliness tend to escalate. By creating art or looking at a beautiful work of art, you can feel peaceful and connected with the world around you.  

child looking at a painting in a museum

Dallas Museum of Art

If going to an art museum seems out of the ordinary for you, don’t worry. Art museums are designed for 1st time visitors, are family-friendly, and offer free audio guides of their collection. Plus, this can be a free, or inexpensive experience! If you live in the DFW area, the Dallas Museum of Art, Kimbell Art Museum, and Amon Carter Museum of American Art offer free admission, and are accessible to visitors of all ages and abilities. You can go for a few hours, and discover something cool and wonderful. If you’re feeling lonely or left out, visiting art museums or galleries can feel like a social experience, either by connecting with fellow visitors or the stories told by the works of art. It won’t make up for not being invited to Thanksgiving drinks with the girls, but it can help you feel better. 

Do you prefer making a work of art? Do it! Art offers a unique way to release pent-up emotions, and it can even literally heal your brain. You don’t have to create a masterpiece. Just spending thirty minutes a day doodling in a sketchbook, crocheting, building with clay, or coloring in an adult coloring book can significantly reduce your stress levels and lower your heart rate. 

watercolors, paint pad, brushes

Get your art supplies out. 

Whether you're taking out your stress on a lump of clay, or visiting one of our amazing world-renowned art museums, art can be a fun, creative therapeutic tool that guides you through the holiday stress, helping you connect to the joy and beauty around you.

Mindful Puttering

With the chaos of today's world, the idea of "puttering around the house" might sound ridiculous, but trust me, puttering is incredibly beneficial for your mental well-being. I am a huge advocate for it. Puttering means doing small, enjoyable tasks around your home – the things you want to do, not what you should or need to do.

Think of puttering as a kind of meditation that reduces stress, increases mindfulness, and helps you rediscover life's simple pleasures. When you're puttering, you're fully present in the moment and more relaxed, whether tending to your plants, rearranging your home decor, or organizing that cluttered closet. This mindful engagement fosters creativity, productivity, and a deeper connection with your living space. Plus, it's a much-needed break from social media and the news! 

Woman holding folded sweaters

Do things you want to do.

Puttering is another fun, creative, and inexpensive therapeutic approach that can significantly reduce stress and improve your mental health. It's a reminder to slow down, take a step back, and find fulfillment and tranquility within the comforting embrace of your own home.

Long, Slow Walks

The stress and pressure associated with the holidays can lead to elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that responds to stress and affects various bodily functions. Constant high cortisol levels can be detrimental to your health, leading to lower immune systems, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and more. Being stressed all the time will literally make you sick!

smiling, middle aged white couple out for a walk

Go for that walk!

We all know we need to get out and walk more. We all know it's good for us. Now is the time to start doing it. Instead of fast-paced walks or runs, consider incorporating leisurely, slow walks into your holiday routine. I’m talking about meandering. Sauntering. Look at the leaves. Notice the birds and animals. Listen to an audiobook. Talk to a friend. Wave to your neighbors.

These gentle walks can help lower cortisol levels, and get rid of feelings of anxiety, irritability, and even depression that mess up your festive spirit. Plus, reducing cortisol levels can strengthen your immune system, helping you stay healthy even when you're around your sister's kids who always have runny noses.

Slow walks are an easy and accessible form of self-care that can help you keep your peace amidst the holiday chaos.

Designate a Safe Place to Relax

No matter where you are, it's essential to identify your relaxation sanctuary. This is your safe space for recharging, resting, and calming. Maybe it's a specific room or even a cozy closet. You need a tranquil retreat. If you can, fill it with calming elements like a soft blanket, favorite stuffies, soothing scents, and soft lights. When you feel overwhelmed, irritable, or resentful, pay attention: you need a break. Rest for at least 20 minutes, and try to avoid devices, the goal is to calm your mind and body.

bed with a book, cup of tea, and lights

Taking time to rest and recharge is not selfish or lazy.

The holiday season can be a hard time for many people, but these suggestions can help you find joy and peace. Whether you're creating art, puttering around your home, taking slow walks, or creating a relaxing space, remember that self-care is not selfish, but essential for a joyful and stress-free holiday season. Embrace these practices with an open heart, and you'll discover a deeper sense of connection, mindfulness, and tranquility.

festive table with Merry Everything sign

References:

Leslie McReynolds
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