I must admit that the “big kid” in me absolutely loves the excitement that the festive Christmas season brings.

However, now that the excitement and rush of the holiday season is over, I could use a day or two to just wind down and incorporate a bit of self-care to rejuvenate my body and mind, even if I have to force myself to do so. Do you feel like that sometimes, too?

I don’t know about you, but after a couple of weeks of hanging beautiful lights, putting up colorful decorations, shopping for gifts, attending Christmas parties, preparing elaborate meals and breaking bread with many loved ones (whew!), it can be a bit challenging to calm your mind down and go into ‘tranquil’ mode.

However, I do have a few ways to help me de-stress and relax after the holiday season. Perhaps these tips will also help you feel better and cope better with holiday anxiety.

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1. CREATE A SPA-AT-HOME DAY

For years, my main way to unwind was to go to a beautiful spa and get a full-body massage.

However, I've added another method of relaxation to my 'destress' regimen, which is to is take a warm, soothing detox bath. It's a natural and inexpensive way to decompress, and something that you can do in the comfort of your own bathroom.

All you need to do is add 3-4 cups of Epsom salts and 4-5 drops of your favorite, calming essential oil (optional) to a bath full of warm water.

I enjoy the aroma of either lavender or chamomile pure essential oil. They both have sedative effects on the nervous system, so they increase your ability to relax and help to make your bath time a more soothing experience.

Soaking in a warm bath of Epsom salts is a great way to unwind and relax, due to its high content of magnesium. Studies show that magnesium helps to relax your muscles (1), thereby, providing a soothing bath time experience.

Don’t forget to apply a rich moisturizer to your skin to replace the oils that were lost through taking your warm detox bath.

For me, organic, extra virgin olive oil makes a very effective post-detox bath skin conditioner. This envelopes your skin in intense moisture and lubrication that lasts all day!

2. CLEAN UP YOUR DIET

Now, this next suggestion may not sound like a relaxation tactic, but it is an important self-care practice. This tip involves consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables to help counter some of the weight gain you may have experienced due to over-indulging in holiday delectables.

I admit it! I certainly enjoyed my fair share of cookies, cakes, and pie through mindless grazing. Now it is time for me to clean up my act and get back on (the healthy) track!

So, I put together a “clean eating” grocery list of some of my favorite crunchy veggies and fruits such as organic mini carrots, organic apples, organic red bell peppers, and organic cucumbers.

This way, when I get the urge for a crunchy snack, I can munch on one of these healthy foods vs. reaching for a sugar-laden cookie or some other junk food.

Processed sugar has a dehydrating and stress-inducing effect on the body (2).

When you avoid sugar, not only is it better for your physical body, but you also feel better mentally because you’re conscious of doing something that will enhance your health. Everyone naturally gets a boost of confidence when they know they are using their will power to better themselves.

Now, do I still get cravings for comfort foods?  Absolutely! However, the best way for me to win at being consistent with eating healthy is simply to NOT buy foods that add no nutritional value to my body. If unhealthy snacks are not in my house, it’s easier for me to avoid consuming them.

Don't misunderstand me, though. I still indulge in a sweet treat every now and then. I just have to be mindful about my sugar intake. Everything in moderation, right?

3. RESUME OR START AN EXERCISE REGIMEN

The post-holiday season is a great time to commit to shedding those ‘holiday pounds’ you may have gained. Plus, January introduces a new year and is a time for new beginnings.

Why not start, or resume, a regular exercise routine?  Working out is a great way to not only tone up your body, but also to improve your mental clarity (3).

When you exercise and sweat out toxins, you get double the benefits with a healthier body and a healthier outlook on life. You simply feel better when you know that you are participating in an activity that improves your well-being, especially when you start seeing the results of your labor with a smaller waistline and firmer muscle mass.

You can easily start your workout routine by turning your living room, spare bedroom, or your basement into a workout area.

Purchase a pair of 5- or 10-pound free weights to use for toning your arms. You can also opt for resistance bands to help strengthen and tone your arms. Try doing squats to firm up your thighs. Then do a daily series of crunches to help firm up your core.

Make your cardio workouts fun by accessing some of the exercise streaming channels, free or subscription-based, and find workouts of all lengths of time to suit your energy levels. Even a quick, 10-minute session per day is healthier than no exercise at all.

There are plenty options you can choose from to motivate and inspire yourself to embrace a more active, healthier lifestyle.

4. TRY COLORING PAGES

Granted, holidays have become so commercialized that they can negatively affect one’s mental health. However, you really do have control over how well you can manage holiday stress.

An easy and impactful stress management tactic that I decided to implement is (wait for it!)…coloring pages!

I must admit that when I first heard about the growing number of people who took to coloring as a way to wind down, I was a bit skeptical. However, after trying this pastime for myself, I quickly realized that it is a wonderful and creative way to quell moments of anxiety and stress.

For starters, coloring helps you to take the focus off the stress of the moment, even if only for a few minutes at a time.

As you concentrate on selecting your colors and how you plan to create your artistic masterpiece, your mind is forced to shift its attention from what's ailing you to a calming escape that lets you immerse yourself in the peaceful moment of coloring.

Secondly, when you take 5-8 deep breaths before you start coloring, you oxygenate your body on a deeper level, which in turn helps to relax your muscles and calm your mind.

5. RESUME YOUR REGULAR DAILY SCHEDULE

The Christmas holiday season means longer, busier days due to planning holiday meals, increased shopping days and times, and other holiday activities with family and friends.

However, now that the rush is over, you can resume your regular schedule. Try to go to bed earlier so that you can be well-rested when you wake up in the morning. This will help you begin each day feeling refreshed and renewed.

To assist you in getting a restful night’s sleep, it may help to use a diffuser in your bedroom and add a few drops of either lavender or vetiver essential oil to the water. Close the door to your bedroom to create a ‘cocoon’ of serenity to your space and rest well.

Also, if possible, try to eat your meals at the same time each day because this will aid you in weight loss vs. sporadic eating times that can lead to mindless grazing.

6. LISTEN TO RELAXING MUSIC

There is an old adage that says, “Music soothes the savage beast.”  While I do not consider any of us to be a savage beast, keeping a hectic holiday schedule for a few weeks can make you feel a bit overwhelmed.

Tuning in to an easy-listening radio station such as smooth jazz or classical music is an easy and convenient way to drift off into relax mode…sometimes within seconds.

If your geographical area does not have a radio station that plays soothing music, it is still available at your fingertip. You can always tune in to a music streaming service or television channel that streams calming melodies while driving, doing chores around your house, going for a brisk walk, etc.

So, go ahead and set a tranquil atmosphere by brewing yourself a cup of tasty, herbal tea. Turn on your smooth music. Dim the lights. Put on your comfy lounging attire. Grab your favorite fluffy blanket…and don’t forget the fluffy socks!

Then, settle down for a few hours (or a full night) of rest and relaxation. Go ahead! You deserve it! Everything on your “to-do” list will still be there after you’ve had time to recharge and replenish your energy.

SUMMARY

By making a few tweaks in your schedule, you can successfully ease yourself back into a more tranquil way of living after the Christmas holiday season (or any other holiday season).

Hopefully, some of the tips given above will assist you with learning how to wind down after holiday stress. Tell me. How do you cope with the holidays?