Find Your Zen to Reduce Stress

Find Your Zen to Reduce Stress

The holiday season starting from around late October to mid-January has been marked as being the most stressful time of the year.

Everyone is racing around trying to get all of their holiday shopping completed; while also maintaining a job (yeah, you know that thing that helps you pay for unbelievable travel). It's no wonder that people are stressed out. Lines are longer, and it would seem that patience levels are significantly shorter.

I was just in Staples the past evening to purchase some items and I was conversing pleasantly with the young lady ringing me up, and she commented during our conversation that during the holidays,  "People are just mean during this time of year. They are pushy and intolerant. Just mean." I nodded my head in agreement, because I've been seeing my fair share of "meanies" too. 

This time of year isn't particularly stressful for me, because in my family we really don't exchange gifts, so we don't have that stress of finding the "perfect" gift; procuring it, and hoping that the person likes it. Furthermore, I've been working extremely hard this year to find my Zen.

While I am not a particularly religious person (though I was brought up in the church); I am a spiritual person. I believe that you treat others as you'd like to be treated, and that you should simply - be nice (although I do fail at this at times too).

With that being said, I have had my fair amount of stress this year; specifically from September through October, so I get it. Stress...well, it's a natural part of life. We all have it, and as some studies have indicated, a certain level of stress is actually a good thing.

My approach has been really immersing myself into things that lessen my stress. There are things I have to get done on a daily basis; therefore, I make sure those important items get done, and then the rest can wait. Also, I've found that revisiting pictures from my travels really helps put things into perspective. I place myself in those spaces that make me feel all warm and cozy and from there - I find my Zen.

The picture above was taken during one of my visits to Puerto Rico. It is the entrance to the St. Regis Resort & Spa in Bahia Principe, Puerto Rico, and let me tell you, the property is AMAZING. It has an exquisite golf course (played by many pros in the golf industry); areas that remind me of Jurassic Park (though it was actually filmed in Hawaii). It simply permeates a calming feeling that resonates throughout every space on the property. I did a site inspection and was toured around the entire property (I'll put a full review up soon). I was there for almost two hours, and let me tell you, it broke my heart to have to leave. 

Now, whenever I feel a bit anxious or uptight, I place myself (mentally) back on that property. Immediately I can smell the ocean air and picture the exotic, indigenous foliage that surrounded me while I was visiting. The visions take me to a safe place and I can then shake off any of the nasties that may have been resting on my shoulders. I lean back. Take a deep breath, and immediately I'm in my Zen place. 

During this stressful time of year, make sure you take time for you! It's easy to get caught up in the fray, so my advice is to be nice to yourself and enjoy the here and now.

Namaste.

*Photo of St. Regis in Bahia Principe, Puerto Rico was taken by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com