10 Polistic tips to overcome stress and overwhelm during the holidays

Ho Ho Ho and Happy Holidays! Some of us these words bring up anxiety, fear, and dread.

There is so much pressure between Halloween and New Year’s Day in the United States.
Sugar overload, family, and pressure for endless consumption leave some feeling the pressure.

This season of darkness can bring that darkness out in us, too.

Today I am sharing a few things have helped me make it through this season with more joy, acceptance, and grace.

Because being a mom IS the most important “job” to be played this season.

Our power comes from within and so many depend on us during this season.

Here are 10 tips you can use to help you through the holidays feeling joyful and cheery!

Here are 10 tips for beating the wintertime blues and getting back to you!

10. Take a few deep breaths when you feel the anxiety flare up. I know you’ve heard this before, but closing your eyes and focusing on your heart space while breathing calms the nervous system and the mind.
9. Listen to your body and feed it what it needs. This season is FULL of food offered to us that kills the immune system. Eat live, whole foods as much as possible. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and refined carbs can all turn into stress in the body as they break down.
8. Plan a quiet getaway alone. I have gone to 2 solo retreats in November. Wow, what a game changer getting away, even for a day alone, can do for you.
7. Set your boundaries around your desires, and stick to them. For example, buying all the gifts from big box stores didn’t sit well with my soul, so we began buying as many local gifts as possible. From the farmer’s markets, local crafters, artists, jewelry makers, there are so many creative people right in our back yard that also feel the burn this time of year. Supporting them feels much more in alignment with my values. I notice I am less stressed and overwhelmed when I am in alignment with my core values.
6. Take a walk in nature, getting outside for a few minutes, in fresh air and sunshine, gives the body vitamin d and raises the happy hormones.
5. Start a gratitude journal and write down 10 things you are grateful for. Read it every day. Use the journal when stress starts rising. The brain can’t do 2 things at once, so bring in the gratitude to melt away stress.
4. Only commit to what serves your soul. This time of year it can seem like everyone is having parties and gatherings. While that may fun, sometimes our bodies need extra rest. Only say yes to what serves YOU.
3. Complete an audit of your daily routines. What is on the plate that can be removed? Let’s use this time to simplify our lives.
2. Hire a professional organizer and help you declutter and organize your things. Keeping things in order calms the mind.
1. Practice Polistic Yoga every day. This tip is my favorite! When we are strong in mind, body, and spirit, stress floats on by. This movement meditation practice helps you into yourself. We feel the most stressed when we are least connected within. Join us here in the Polistic Yoga Academy 

The world is full of distractions and distortions in our modern society about what this time of year is really about.

It is no wonder there are more suicides this time of year than any other.

The stress and overwhelm are real.

You are not alone if you suffer, and there is nothing wrong with you.

You are doing your best to fit into this distortion. No wonder it can feel overwhelming.

Daily propaganda and pressure to be perfect can feel like a lot. Especially moms with their changing bodies and cycles.

Moms are modern-day superheroes and now is the time we lift them, supply them with the fuel they need to make our world better.

What the world needs is more people alive with their passions and love.

We have had enough stress. This IS OUR time to shine.

A new era is upon us. It begins with us, on the inside.

Take time to destress because in the long run, spring comes around again and these holy days will be long gone.

Use the darkness to go inside and mine what’s wanting to come out.

Allow what no longer serves you to die away and the new to be born.

This season has a lot of beauty to offer when we slow down to see it.

Namaste at the Pole,
Jennifer Rollins