The festive period may be fun, but it also creates a lot of pressure, from finishing work, rushing to go out, dressing and making-up to wrapping, cooking and playing hostess, then wash, rinse, repeat. But you can reduce your stress levels.
1 – Start everything earlier. It sounds obvious, but it’s one thing that takes the panic factor out of everything. You also need enough sleep, but if stress makes sleep elusive try Seascape Soothe Sleep Oil, £10, which contains 100% natural essential oil of Lavender to relax and calm, as well as the oils from Grape Seed, Sweet Almond, Bitter Orange Flower and Mandarin Orange Peel to balance the mind and deliver a gentle fragrance..
2 – It revs up your metabolism, focusses your mind, brushes away mental cobwebs and fatigue, warms up a wan complexion, reduces blood pressure and increases your sense of control. When there’s no time for a full workout, a 15-minute run or even a brisk 30-minute walk will help, or indeed anything that raises your heart rate and breathing. And yes, that includes sex!
3 – Focus on your breath. Exhaling for longer than you inhale is a quick way to calm yourself, so Dr Andrew Weil suggests the 4.7.8 technique as a natural tranquilizer. Close your eyes, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and breathe through your nose to a relaxed count of four, hold it for the count of seven, then exhale fully through your mouth to the count of eight. Repeat for four breaths and practise as often as you like.
4 – Use relaxing, de-stressing essential oils. The hands-free method is to simply light diffuser reeds or a candle with soothing oils, such as Aromatherapy Associates Relax Candle with bay and myrrh, £36. Alternatively, persuade your partner to give you a massage using Rituals Xiu Xi Calming Body & Massage Oil, £13.50. Better still, go all out and really spoil yourself by booking a massage at the local salon. Because you’re worth it! 😉
5 – Saturate yourself in relaxing fragrances. Soak in the benefits of Cotswold Lavender Bath Salts 200g, £7.95, a natural bath soak with organic sea salt and lavender oil to help you relax and unwind, or in Tisserand Signature Blend Relaxing Bath Soak 210ml, £7.25, which is richly fragranced with pure essential oils and enriched with soothing organic Balm Mint extract. Afterwards, slather on Origins Calm To Your Senses Body Souffle, £6, with soothing lavender and vanilla.
6 – Surround yourself with calming colours. A little black dress may be chic, not to mention slimming, but it won’t lift a stressed or frazzled mood. On the other hand, seasonal red and yellow are stimulating colours that won’t calm you either. (McDonalds and Burger King chose them for good reason.) Restful colours are shades of blue, natural greens, baby pink and spiritual shades such as purple and indigo. If they’re not the main colour of your outfit, you can at least use them for your wrap, pashmina, coat or accessories.
7 – Try to pace yourself – and especially your consumption of alcohol and rich foods – because we all know the after-effects of having too much of a good thing. On mornings-after-the-night-before be gentle with yourself, but try to take that crisp daytime walk as soon as you feel able and do drink plenty of water plus fruit juices with plenty of vitamin C. Then enjoy a calm but enjoyable Christmas and a healthy, happy sparkling new year!
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