The holidays have begun and with them the busyness and stress of trying to make everything perfect. A little secret I’m still trying to live into: it doesn’t have to be perfect. I’m forever working on how to find calm. Finding quiet space in the midst of the normal is hard enough but add to it the holiday parties, shopping, and excited kids and it becomes near impossible. It is important to find our center, our quiet place, and our peace. Christmas zooms right past us if we don’t take the time to purposely slow down and get ready for the mysteries of this season. Don’t wait till January 1st to make a New Year’s Resolution to care for yourself. Chances are if you can maintain it during the hustle of this season it’s more likely to stick throughout the coming year.

Restful Sleep Reduces Stress

We are always on the hunt for a peaceful night sleep. One way is to increase the oxygen level of your room. There are a number of indoor plants that you can use to do this. They have added benefits as well.

The two I’ve recently added are Aloe Vera and Jasmine. English Ivy and Peace Lilies are next on the list. Put these 10 plants next to your bed for better sleep.

We also diffuse oils in our room. Lavender has a calming effect, and for nights where we are feeling congested we add a drop of peppermint as well. I’m currently studying herbalism through the Herbal Academy. As I learn about stress relief and especially that ever elusive restful sleep I plan on sharing more. For now, we’ve tried a number of techniques (check out my accidental cure for hiccups on my quest for a better night’s sleep). Overall nothing beats a dark cool room, a cup of hot catnip tea, technology off an hour before bed, and a drop of lavender on each foot or a few drops in the diffuser.

Anxiety

As soon as the lights go out my mind and heart start racing. I start thinking of everything I could have done differently and better throughout the day. It’s been suggested, and I’ve tried, keeping a notebook by my bed to jot down all that needs to get done. The only problem, once I start making one list more comes to me and before I know it I’m out of bed working again.

This time of year my anxiety shoots up. It’s when we head out for my daughter’s annual cancer check up at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. We are at 9 years cancer free now but the fear still surfaces along with the memories of those we’ve lost along this journey. (You can read Our St. Jude Story and How It Began here.)

Because I’m always looking for ways to decrease anxiety, when D. C. Berkel, CPC offered me the opportunity to review her Anxiety Workbook for Women I jumped on it. Military life, motherhood, and ministry each presents it’s own set of stressors. I’ll try anything once, and I’m glad I said yes to this opportunity.

This workbook is an interactive 30-day journey that is broken up into manageable bites. It asks hard reflective questions making you dig into the reasons for your anxiety and steps to overcome. I was hoping to have completely finished the workbook before sharing with you but am finding it helpful in my own life and don’t want you to miss out on this sale.

Through Cyber Monday, customers can SAVE 50% on the Anxiety Workbook & Online Course. Enter the discount coupon at the check-out page: happycm2016

Counseling

There is no shame in seeking out help. Stress gets the best of all of us and whether you are in need of a professional counselor regularly or sporadically the important thing is to acknowledge it and get the help you need. I personally look forward to my bi-monthly visits. They are me time, a step to recharge and re-evaluate without letting my neurosis seep into all of my other relationships. It’s an opportunity for self-reflection and growth through guidance. Even Wonder Woman has her vulnerabilities. It’s best to just admit them and seek out help. If you are struggling with whether or not to take this step may I suggest reading the book People Of The Lie. It is in the admitting that we are vulnerable and broken that goodness wins and strength emerges.

Parenting

Perhaps you aren’t even here for yourself. If you are struggling with how to help a child going through stress, anxiety, depression, etc… Dasium.net is where you need to head next. It is full of resources you will find helpful.

My prayer for you this holiday season is the same one I have for myself:

May we seek out and enjoy rest in the midst of chaos. May we discover joy in the moments of calm and be present in every moment. May our anxiety and stress subside and be replaced by the miraculous wonder of this Christmas season.

I would love to hear what you are doing to relieve the stress & anxiety in your own life. Share with us in the comments below.