As the holidays start to wind down, we still tend to hold on to the stress of the season. We move through crowded streets and shopping centers, experience increased road traffic and navigate family expectations, while also juggling the everyday routines of life. Wearing us down and making us more susceptible to colds and flus, the added stress of the holidays can take its toll on our well being. But it does not have to.
There are many wonderful ways you can find calm and center yourself during the busiest season of the year. Here at Radiance Gifts, we have many wonderful ideas and products which can help you relax, take a load off and plan your holidays with care for your own mental health.
One of the most important things to remember about winter is that we have a natural tendency to become depressed. With decreasing sunlight, we are receiving less Vitamin D and the cold sets in our bones. Grey days and barren trees bring a gloomy feeling and can cause depression. This can be attributed to a common condition known as SAD. “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, winter blues, or seasonal depression, is a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter.” Wikipedia
Being aware of SAD or that your down mood can simply be due to the weather are ways to combat the depression. Knowing that this is common can help us feel less alienated. Remember that it will pass, and know your triggers so you can prevent them!
Remember to breathe deeply. It is proven that when we become irritated, we actually breathe less, constricting our blood vessels, decreasing oxygen to the brain and causing more irritability. So remember, Breathe! Breathe! Breathe!
At Radiance Gifts, we have many wonderful ways to assist you by creating a calm environment to relax and meditate in. From Himalayan Salt Lamps to Inspirational Banners, joyful arrays of coloured candles and an arsenal of ritual and metaphysical tools, setting a calming mood in your own home and office can help you continue that mood as you move through your world.
Meditation has become increasingly popular in our busy lives as it is known to decrease stress and fatigue and help us to center ourselves. Even if just 5 minutes a day you sit in a quite calming spot and breathe deeply, you will feel the positive effects of meditation.
You might find it relaxing to take long warm baths during the cold winter months. Light a candle and turn off the lights! Add bath salts and essential oils to your water. Burn some warm spicy incense like our Sandalwood Incense or a Palo Santo stick. Using Himalayan Salt Lamps help to increase the mood by decreasing positive ions in our atmosphere. The soft orange glow of the salt lamps and votive holders also help our mood as they bring warmth and comfort to our environment.
Do nice things for yourself. Be gentle with yourself and others. Don’t over extend yourself. Get plenty of sun and exercise and in this way, you will be able to enjoy the holiday season as it should be: A cozy and beautiful time to share joy and love with your family.