Learning How to Rejuvenate the Mind, Body and Soul Throughout the Holiday Season

By Erin Bakersmith?

The holidays are right around the corner and our stress levels tend to light up like a Christmas tree this time of year. Believe it or not, the holiday stress response is the body's way of protecting you. When working properly, stress can help you stay alert, focused and energetic at a time when traveling, financial difficulties, and family issues can keep you on your toes. What you need most ?during this time is balance. Finding a way to turn inward and move towards health and wellness can be pivotal during the holidays.?Below you'll find some tips to lower your stress and remain grounded even during the most chaotic holiday gatherings.?

Rejuvenate the Mind: Meditation?

What you need:?
1. A quiet room?
2. Soothing music
3. A pillow to sit on (optional)?
4. 10 - 20 minutes?

Sitting in a cross legged position and closing the eyes, bring the hands to rest palm down on the knees.? Start to listen to your own breath and make a conscious effort to make your inhalation and exhalation the same length.?

Deepening the breath, start to fill up the belly with the inhale, and then slowly filling up the lungs to the count of 8.?

Hold the breath for 8 counts at the top of the inhale and then slowly exhale to the count of 8, releasing from the lungs through the belly. Repeat this five times.?

Once you finish this deep breathing exercise, start to lift the crown of the head up to the ceiling while you ground your tailbone into the floor. Imagining your backbone as a root of a tree, deeply plummeting into the core of the earth. Feeling yourself implanted and tied to the ground, keep breathing deeply and notice what it feels like to be connected. Imaging the root becoming more stable, grounded, and strong. Sit here, in the space. Listening to your breath and letting go of all expectations and just be.