The holidays
are over but you may still feel tired, worn-out, and sluggish from “holiday
stress.” You many have noticed that you were more susceptible to colds and viruses
during this time.
For almost two months from mid-November to the first
week of January we over-indulge ourselves on rich, fatty foods, forge our exercising
because we are too busy or too tired, stress over meeting the demands of
family, drink way too much, hang out with more people that are not emotionally healthy
because “it’s the holidays,” and spend money we don’t have on gifts that are
needless. If you had any added stress during the holidays such as a death of a
family member or a close friend it will add to the depleted feeling that you
already may have. This is what I would refer to as “compounded stress,” which is stress piled on top of more stress.
The holidays can be stressful enough but if you mix in there a death or even
dealing with a prodigal child it can be multi-layered stress. You won’t just “bounce”
back from compounded stress, you will need to do a series of things daily to
jumpstart your “batteries” again. Our bodies “crash” after the weeks and months
of added stress, and not eating properly. Most people do not feel refreshed
after the holidays, in fact a majority feel fatigued and sick.
During the
months of November and December I hosted Thanksgiving at my home, had a death
in the family and a close family friend die, hosted one of the post-funeral
gatherings at my home, celebrated 3 family birthdays (2 of the birthdays were
celebrated at my house), celebrated my wedding anniversary, reconnected with my
prodigal child, and had my second book released. Needless to say I was feeling
worn-out, irritable, and sick. Take time to reevaluate what your schedule was
like during the holidays, write it out to see if maybe that is why you may not
be feeling all that energetic and stop beating yourself up –recharge!
►How can you recharge from compounded stress
after the holidays:
1. Get
at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Nothing recharges your depleted body and
mind like a good night’s sleep. Opt for 8 hours during the week and on your
days off sleep an hour longer. Go to bed before 11pm every night.
2. Start
exercising, even if it just a brisk walk. You probably won’t feel like exercising in the beginning
but the benefits will eventually be felt such as weight loss from all the food consumption
during the holidays and increase in your immunity.
3. Lay
off sodas, junk food, sugary snacks, fried/fatty foods, and cut back on
over-eating. Discipline yourself to eat healthy, balanced foods during the week
and pick one or two days to indulge (sparingly, of course) with your favorite
foods and desserts. Drink lots of green tea, cold or hot, but don’t add sugar.
You can put stevia or honey in your green tea if you need it sweetened. Drink
lots of water to flush out toxins and rehydrate and energize your body.
4. Begin
each day and end each night in the Word of God. You don’t have to be legalistic
how you spend time with God each day. Most likely your time with God was not as
frequent during the holidays and now it is time to reconnect to God as the most
important disciplines to recharge you. Have time where you sit quietly before the
Lord to listen to what He wants to speak to you. During the holidays we often can’t
hear God as well because we are too busy running, doing and going. Sit still before the Lord.
5. Do
not put a lot on your schedule for the month of January. You need time to
recharge, especially if you have undergone compounded stress. Lighten your load
as much as possible for the month of January. Stop trying to force yourself to
keep up with everyone else.
6. Discipline
your mind by taking every thought captive and REPLACE with scripture and
faith-filled/positive affirmations daily. It is very likely the holidays brought
on some disappointments, and possibly depression. Get your mind FOCUED again.
►For additional practical help in how to discipline your
mind, check out my latest book release, “DiscipliningYour Mind, 30 Days to a Better You.”
7.
After many weeks of your schedule
being haywire, get back to routine and schedule. The holidays often cause havoc
on your routines and that can cause problems if you have work to get back to. Organize
your morning the night before by laying out your clothes or programming your
coffee maker to brew in the AM.
8.
Unplug from your phone and other electronic
devices every day, even if it just for an hour.
9.
Declutter your space. Take some time
and declutter around you. The more clutter that you have, you will feel that in
your mind.
10. Introverts
especially need time alone because of the increased interactions during the
holidays. Too much time with people, drains an introvert but time alone
recharges the introvert. If you are an introvert, find one or two friends to
socialize with, and opt out of the larger group settings until you are
recharged. Introverts do crave social interactions, just usually 1:1 interactions
that are deep and meaningful. Extroverts, you still need to recharge but maybe
not like the introvert.
11. Do
something for yourself that is fun and enjoyable perhaps that is having a movie
day in your pj’s or trying a new restaurant.
12. January
is usually dark and cold but sometimes sun does come out in January, and when
it does go outdoors. Vitamin D from the sun can boost your mood.
13. Take
warm, Epson salt baths to eliminate toxins and to relax your body.
Be gentle and patient with yourself during the month
of January after the post-holiday frenzy. Recharging your body, mind and spirit
will not happen overnight but if you begin to implement the above suggestions
you can start to feel like yourself in a couple of weeks.
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