As the holidays approach, stress can quickly begin to build up. It’s a time to relax and have fun, but when family comes over and there are lots of things to get done, this can quickly become a worrisome time. Taking the time to practice some simple breathing exercises can do wonders. It helps you relax and stay grounded.
Stress During the Holidays
We generally think of the holidays as the perfect time to sit back and unwind. You’ve worked hard all year long, so this is a time that you’ve been looking forward to. While holidays can be fun, they often also come with added stress that we tend to overlook.
It has been found that as many as 89% of Americans feel overwhelmed as the holidays draw closer. They worry about money, family conflict, and missing loved ones who are not with them during these times, among other things.
This added stress can quickly cause you to feel exhausted. When you’re overthinking everything that’s about to happen during the holidays, you give yourself less of a chance to enjoy yourself. It leads to constant stress, which means cortisol is constantly rushing through your body.
Chronic cortisol exposure has been linked to problems like high blood pressure, a weak immune system, weight gain, and even type 2 diabetes.
3 Simple Breathing Exercises to Relieve stress
As the holidays start to get stressful, we often forget to take a moment to breathe. Breathing exercises can be beneficial in these situations, and can even assist in reducing that consistent exposure to cortisol you risk when stress becomes more chronic and persistent.
Whether you’re looking for stress breathing techniques or deep breathing exercises for lowering blood pressure, there are three specific options you should consider. Each of these comes with its benefits. It’s a good idea to experiment with them to see which one helps you best.
- 4-7-8 Breathing: This is also called relaxed breathing. It’s a great choice if you need breathing exercises for anxiety, stress, or to bring your mind back to the present. It involves lying down or sitting in a comfortable position. You’ll exhale through your mouth, then inhale through your nose. Count to four while inhaling, hold your breath for seven counts, and then exhale while counting to eight.
- Box Breathing: Simple breathing exercises are another great one. Breathe in to the count of four. Hold your breath for four counts, and then breathe out to the count of four. You’ll then hold your breath for four counts before repeating this.
- Diaphragmatic Breathing: You can also give belly breathing a try to relax and focus. Sit with your shoulders relaxed. You’ll place one hand directly on your belly. As you inhale through your nose, you need to make sure your hand can feel your abdomen expand. You’ll then exhale through your mouth and ensure that you can feel your belly go back to its original position.
How Can Androgenix Help?
When stress becomes overbearing, it can take quite a toll on your health. Chronic stress can leave your body constantly exposed to cortisol, which can affect your hormonal balance over time. If you’re looking for a way to restore balance in your hormones, then get in touch with Androgenix. Our solutions are highly personalized to ensure we address your specific situation. Call us today if you want to book your first consultation.
