As much as we enjoy the warm, fuzzy feeling the holidays can bring, there’s also a lot of work involved. Calendars fill up quickly with holiday-themed events with family, friends, and coworkers. Your weekends are a blur and you find it hard to keep up with your to-do list. Ironically, the times when you’re the busiest are the times that you most need to slow down and take a break.
Yoga for stress relief is one of the best ways I’ve found to cope with the craziness of the holidays.
When I let busyness get the best of me, my body and mind let me know. My back gets stiff and my brain gets mushy. I tell myself that I don’t have time to stop and do yoga because there is too much that needs to get done. Inevitably, I become less productive because I’m not taking care of myself as well as I should. I notice my concentration dipping when I don’t take time out for mindfulness and movement. Yoga combines both, so it’s an efficient way to fit them into your day. It doesn’t even have to be a long session for you to reap the benefits. Even on your craziest days, you could spare 10 minutes for a mini session, right?
No Fancy Yoga Supplies Needed
Don’t worry if you’ve never tried yoga before and you think you can’t do it because you’re not flexible enough or you don’t own a pair of yoga pants. Yoga is accessible for all bodies! You don’t have to own any special yoga supplies, or props, to be able to do yoga. All you really need to get started with yoga for stress relief is a towel or mat and comfortable clothing. If you do want to purchase some fun yoga supplies to get you in the mood for your session, one of my long-time favorite companies is Gaiam. Their yoga clothes are beautiful, and everything they sell is high quality. I still have a set of their cork yoga bricks from nearly 20 years ago and they’re in perfect condition!
Free Yoga Videos for Overextended Holiday Budgets
Yoga doesn’t have to break the bank! My very first yoga videos were on VHS (I know, I know…LOL) from Gaiam and I just fell in love. Nowadays, there are plenty of free yoga videos available on YouTube, and you can search based on your interests and ability. In the morning, you may want a yoga session that gets the blood flowing and perks you up. If you prefer the evening, there are some great yoga videos to help release tension that has accumulated during the day. If you’d like the ultimate relaxation before bed, there are yoga videos made to zen you out and get you ready for sleep. Honestly, sometimes you won’t even make it to bed before you doze off. I’ve ended many yoga sessions passed out on my mat!
Yoga for stress relief truly is an easy, affordable option to help you get through the holiday season or any time of year. If you make time to schedule in a short session three to four days a week, I promise you’ll feel the benefits! And if you really love it, maybe you’ll add some of those special yoga supplies to your holiday wish list. 😉
Sending lots of love and peace!
