The stress of the holidays is real, but manageable. Anshkaparwani, a yoga and holistic wellness expert, shares yoga, movement, Ayurveda and ways to exhale.
The holiday season is a magical time filled with celebratory lights, warm gatherings, and delicious food that creates an atmosphere of celebration and joy. But be honest. It also disrupts the routine and sometimes even stresses it. Between endless parties, last minute shopping, and the fascinating pull of unhealthy, comfortable food, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or slow by the time the New Year arrives. The answer lies in weaving mindfulness into our celebration. It takes time to connect with yourself through yoga, movement, Ayurveda and breathing work. Not only can these tools help you manage holiday stress, they can also help you balance energy and digestion during your most luxurious period and keep your digestion happy.
Holiday Stress Spiral
Holiday fuss and busses often push us into a cycle of stress, overeating and lack of sleep. Stress hormones like cortisol surge when they feel overwhelmed, leading to weakening fatigue, cravings and even immunity. Excessive dulgence can remove digestion from balance, whether it be sweets, heavy foods or alcohol, and become bloated and lethargic.
Good news? With some mindful practices, you can enjoy the festival without feeling heavy. Dive into the ways yoga, movement, Ayurveda and breathing work bring harmony to your holidays.
1. Yoga: Finding a calm thing in the stress of your holiday
Yoga is a powerful tool to ground yourself during the holiday frenzy. By calming the mind and releasing tension in the body, yoga creates a space for you to fully enjoy the season.
Below are some yoga poses and practices to incorporate to manage holiday stress.
Recovery poses for relaxation:
- Children’s Pose (Balasana): A go-to pose to calm the nervous system, Balasana can pause, breathe deeply and release stress.
- Supta Matsyendrasana: This gentle twist helps to detoxify the body, especially after a luxurious meal, and also relieves tension in the lower back.
- Wall leg pose (Viparita Karani): After a long day of standing or socializing, this will help reduce swelling in the legs, promote circulation and feel restoration.
If you feel that late at night or too much heavy meals are dull, a short vinyasa flow can revitalize you. Focus on some Surya Namaskar to increase circulation and stretch the body.
2. Movement: Stay active and stay careful to manage holiday stress
Yoga is basic, but other forms of mindful movement can complement your holiday wellness plan. The key is to move intentionally, not just for fitness, but for mental clarity and joy.
A walk after meal can bring wonders about digestion and stress relief. In Ayurveda, walking is considered a gentle way to stab a digestive fire (Agni), especially after a rich meal. Make it a mindful practice. Use cold air to notice the celebration light and breathe slowly and steadily as you walk.
Whether you’re swinging into holiday tunes in your living room or taking a dance class, moving into music is a fun way to free up endorphins and shake off the stress of your holiday.
Short strength training sessions can help counteract the effects of long-term sitting (long dinners and trips). These movements build core strength, improve posture, and stabilize energy levels.
3. Ayurveda: Balance of dul and wisdom
Ancient life science, Ayurveda offers a simple yet deep way to maintain balance during holidays. Here’s how to incorporate Ayurvedic wisdom into your celebration and avoid the stress of your holiday.
Mindful diet
- Slowly chew: Enjoy the flavor of each bite. This not only improves the experience, but also improves digestion.
- Spices to support digestion: Add warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin and fennel to your diet. These spices help stimulate the agni and prevent infants from bloating.
- Hydration: Start your morning with warm water that cleanses your digestive system by injecting lemon and ginger.
Herb Allies
- Triphala: Digestion and detoxification of three fruit blends, Triphala Aids. If you feel heavy or bloated, take it at night.
- Ashwagandha: This adaptive herb helps reduce stress and helps the body recover from holiday fatigue.
- Tarcity: A calming tea made from sacred basil helps to calm the mind and support immunity.
Abuyanga (oil massage)
Daily self-massage with warm sesame oil is a practice of evidence that nourishes the skin, calms the mind, strengthens circulation, and promotes the vata imbalances that are optimal for winter and the seasons.
4. Breathing: Reset your inner calm to manage your holiday stress
When stress creeps up, breathing is your most accessible tool. Conscious breathing not only calms the nervous system, but also brings mindfulness to the present moment. To avoid the stress of the holidays, try these simple Pranayama techniques:
- Nadi Shodhana (another nostril breathing)
This practice balances the body’s energy channels and promotes calmness and focus. This is especially useful before busy gatherings or when overstimulated.
- Surya Bhedana (right nostril breathing)
Is it cold? Surya Bhedana activates the body’s warming energy, improves circulation and removes mental mist. Close the left nostril, inhale deeply in the right nostril, and exhale from the left. Repeat in 21 rounds.
This soothing exercise involves creating a gentle humming sound during your breath. Bhramari is perfect for reducing anxiety and creating a calm sensation before bedtime.
5. Mindfulness: Create a space for joy
Holidays are meant to be fun, but joy doesn’t come from crafting your to-do list. It comes from being there. Here’s how you can embrace mindfulness this season and avoid the stress of your holiday:
- Set the intent: Start your day by looking back at what you need to do, as well as how you want to feel. This shifts the focus from the task to the experience.
- Pause and breathe: Before eating, take a little time to close your eyes and take three deep breaths to express your gratitude.
- Digital Detox: Set screen time boundaries, especially during family gatherings. Being with your loved one is the greatest gift you can give.
Your Mindful Holiday Tool Kit
To keep your balance on vacation, build your own toolkit.
- Short yoga routines for relaxation and energy
- Herbal tea and Ayurvedic remedies for digestion and stress
- Mindful movement practice that you can enjoy
- Pranayama exercises to calm the mind
- Practice gratitude and meditation to focus on yourself
Celebrate with consciousness
Holidays don’t have to be a whirlwind of stress and excessive announcements. With mindful practice rooted in yoga, movement, Ayurveda and breath, you can navigate this season with grace and find the joy of balancing dul. Remember, it’s not about perfection, it’s about being. So, as you step into this festive season, you breathe deeply, move your heart, and experience every moment.
This is the season to nurture both your spirit and your happiness! Bend not only in your body, but in your mind. Happy holidays.
