The Holidays are a time for joyous celebration but family dynamics, personal challenges and the demands of daily life can add elements of additional stress to all of us this time of year. If you work somewhere that involves Holiday sales, or year-end activities, this can add even more stress to Holiday prep.

Yoga can help with stress management and doesn't need to involve a significant time commitment that adds one more to-do to your already full holiday plate. Yoga done slower, and focusing on just 1-2 restorative poses as a normal break in the day can help lower blood pressure and increase mindfulness and resilience. A focus on the breath - three meaningful inhale/exhale cycles as we relax - can bring us back to the present moment and reduce stress.

Some great poses to incorporate into your regular daily breaks are easy pose, which can be done seated on the floor or sitting in a chair; reclining spinal twist; and corpse pose. All of these keep your head and heart in a neutral position and allow for relaxation and a focus on the breath. If you have high blood pressure, you can use a bolster or blanket under your head or neck in reclining spinal twist and corpse pose if it is more comfortable for you.

Other great ways to help manage stress include:
*Incorporating at least one self-care activity you look forward to into each day;
*Taking a short walk, preferably outside;

*Taking regular 10-15 minute breaks throughout your day, getting up from your chair if you have a desk job and stepping away;
*Eating healthier to support your overall physical well-being - this can be as simple as including a serving of vegetables into each meal.

All this week, my yoga flow and chair yoga sessions will focus on stress management. Sign up for a live online session here - I will share strategies you can take with you from each class to bring more relaxation into your days as we move through the Holidays.

I hope to see you soon!

Julia
juliawyoga.com

Julia Wilkins is an RYT-200 and RYT-500 through Yoga Alliance with 30 years of yoga experience, and a NASM-Certified Nutrition Coach.