’Tis the season to be…stressed? If decking the halls has you feeling more frazzled than festive, you’re not alone. Between gift shopping, party planning and the endless swirl of to-dos, inner peace can easily turn into a tangled string of twinkle lights. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, nearly nine in 10 Americans say they feel stressed or overwhelmed during the holidays. But don’t get your Santa hat in a bunch. Taking time for self-care—whether it’s sneaking off for some solitude, hitting the yoga mat, booking a massage or simply getting outside—can help you reclaim the joy of the season.
“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, all you need to do is find a quiet space for yourself and tune in to your breath,” says Alexandra Pettinaro, owner of Bath House in Greenville.
Her holistic healing studio incorporates sound bath meditations, yoga, facials and energy work. “Mindfulness in general can help you dial down holiday stress by promoting awareness, focusing on presence and allowing you to savor moments rather than rushing through them,” she says.
You don’t need a formal meditation practice to focus on yourself and bring a sense of calmness and serenity into your environment. “Mindfulness is a practice, just like exercise or yoga,” says Pettinaro. “It gets easier the more often you do it. Once you get into a routine, you’ll find you’re better able to respond rather than react when unexpected issues arise, such as dealing with complicated family dynamics during the holidays.
Pettinaro also notes that being mindful can help you make more intentional choices about eating, spending or making commitments during a chaotic time of year.
Luckily, there are plenty of options for Delawareans to unplug and enjoy this special time of the year.
Lighten up
“Exposure to sunlight cues your brain to produce serotonin, which is associated with positive effects on the mood,” says Dr. Madhuri Sharma, founder and owner of Flow Integrative Medicine & Direct Primary Care in Wilmington.
Sharma suggests aiming for 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight each day, preferably in the morning and without sunglasses (to ensure light hits the retina). “[This increases] natural production of melatonin at night, which can help with an easier sleep onset,” she says. “Good quality sleep is so important to stress management, immunity and energy.”
If rushing around is tying up your daylight hours, consider LED Red Light Therapy and book a 12-minute session at Houppette. “LED RLT stimulates the energy center of your cells to promote skin surface and muscular healing, encourage melatonin production for better sleep and provide an energy boost,” says Lizzie Johnson, co-owner of the Greenville luxury boutique and spa.
Knead to Unwind
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, studies show that regular massage therapy can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Even a 10-to 15-minute massage can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) significantly while simultaneously increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine—neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. This combination of effects makes massage a powerful tool for managing and improving overall emotional well-being.
Take a break from gift-wrapping and enlist in a trained pair of hands to help untie some knots. Pamper yourself with a 60- or 90-minute deep tissue massage at the Spa at Montchanin Village in Wilmington or a Swedish relaxation massage at Barefoot on the Beach Spa & Wellness Studio in Rehoboth Beach.
Stacey Wetzstein, owner of Zen Spa & Studio Z in West Fenwick, says spa treatments during the holiday season can offer numerous physical, mental and emotional benefits, including stress relief, pain and muscle tension relief, mental clarity, relaxation, better sleep and improved mood. Unburden tight neck and shoulder muscles with a Zen Concentrate massage. Add peppermint aromatherapy for a festive touch.
Om for the Holidays
Prioritizing yoga or meditation practice in your busy schedule can make all the difference. “Yoga helps release physical and energetic stress in the body, and it also prepares the body for meditation,” says Shannon Branch, owner of Sound Body Studio in Wilmington. “Meditation, in turn, regulates your nervous system.”
Branch’s studio offers a plethora of movement classes—both heated and unheated—suitable for all levels.
Looking for something more chill? Try a 60-minute group sound bath session at Bath House in Wilmington or a beginner tai chi class at Ocean Vayu Yoga in Ocean View. The Delaware Valley Zen Center in Newark holds weekly chanting, sitting meditation and walking meditation classes free of charge to the public.
Get Crafty
Pioneering psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi developed the term “flow state,” which describes “a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.” Considered to be the father of positive psychology, Csikszentmihalyi theorized that this kind of active creative engagement develops happiness. Tap in to your own flow with a local, hands-on workshop. A multitude of options across the state are a perfect fit for this festive time of year.
Quell your holiday qualms with a themed event at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin. Throughout December, they’re hosting winter container and wreath-making classes, as well as pyrography sessions for making holiday ornaments and coaster sets.
Rehoboth Art League offers workshops on watercolor holiday cards on December 16 and 19 in Rehoboth Beach. Or tackle two tasks at once: Mix up this year’s Friendsgiving plans with a private group lesson at Raye of Light Studio in Ocean View and de-stress the whole crew. The studio also co-hosts an acrylic ornament pouring event with Salted Vines Winery on December 5.
