We are right in the middle of the festival season In India. This means we’re juggling multiple tasks, like last-minute shopping, cooking holiday meals, finalizing travel plans, or meeting office deadlines before going on vacation. While doing all of this, we also have to navigate heavy traffic on the roads and crowds in the market and public places. preparing for and celebrating festivals can be quite chaotic and overwhelm us, impacting our state of mind and emotional well-being. At times like these, it is important to remember that you are not alone and that there are many ways to feel calmer during this busy period.
(Also read: Breathing exercises to beat travel stress this holiday season)
Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Prakriti Poddar, Mental Health Expert and Global Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing for RoundGlass, says you can optimize your joy and well-being during this time of year by practicing simple wellness techniques that can help you stay centered and find calm. in the midst of chaos. Here he lists wellness practices that can help us cope with festival-related stress:
1. Focus on your breath:
Give yourself a few slow breaths to regulate your nervous system and offer yourself kindness. Breath control is probably the most effective way to control our stress and regulate our response to it. A great way to start is to practice the 4-7-8 breathing technique:
– Inhale for four seconds.
– Hold that breath for seven seconds.
– Release that breath as you slowly count to eight.
– Repeat as much as you need.
Calming your breath as you take a deep breath in and out can help you become more grounded in your body and connect to your best flow and performance.
2. Acknowledge and accept your emotions:
Strong emotions can descend on us like a storm, making it difficult to think clearly. Recognizing our emotions will help us regulate them. It is important to recognize how your body reacts when you experience stress. Identifying your triggers will help you better cope with stress.
3. Tackle one thing at a time:
Focusing on one thing at a time relieves mental pressure and fosters a greater ability to complete tasks effectively. For a few days, just do one thing at a time and see how it affects your stress levels.
4. Sign in with yourself:
The chaos of festival season can leave you feeling depressed and drained. Ask yourself, what do I need right now? What can I do for myself? A glass of water, calling a friend, or spending two minutes alone in the bathroom? Give yourself a few slow breaths to regulate your nervous system and offer yourself kindness. Allowing yourself some time and feelings can soften the hard edges so that you present yourself to your family with more generosity and more presence.
5. Take breaks to thank
When you feel stressed, think of three things you are grateful for. This conscious process will release dopamine (the happiness hormone) in your brain, which improves mood regulation. In everything you do, remember that you are doing the best you can and that is enough. Let go of all worries and stress, release negative emotions, and use positive thinking to stay centered and initiate positive transformations.
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