It’s not in your head – the holidays really are a stressful time of year. According to the American Psychological Association, roughly 9 in 10 Americans (that’s the vast majority of us) suffer from some kind of stress over the holiday season. Maybe it’s financial worries. Perhaps it’s work woes. For many, it’s the teeth-gritting effects of dealing with interpersonal family dynamics and arguments. 

Whatever the reason, come January, we need a break. In this article, let’s explore some post-holiday destressing routines that can help you shed the holiday nerves and start the new year fresh. For better success, write these routines down somewhere visible and get yourself on a reliable schedule. 

Strike a Work-Life Balance

If it means telling your direct manager that you can’t field emails on a Sunday, so be it. You need breathing room in your life if you want to cultivate a calmer, more balanced life experience. We understand not everyone has the luxury of making demands at work. If it helps, send your boss this Harvard Business Review link that shows work/life balance actually increases productivity. 

Learn How to Meditate – Whatever Way You Like

With some time cleared in the evenings, consider picking up meditation. It doesn’t have to be the new-agey kind you remember from your parents’ generation (with the crystals, incense and whole nine yards). Meditation simply means sitting with your thoughts – watching them dispassionately as they come and go, accepting each one for what it is. This practice of non-attachment can seriously aid a person in destressing after the holidays. 

Dabble in Cannabis 

Cannabis has helped scores of people overcome their stress and anxiety. Most regular cannabis users report turning to the plant for stress relief, and a growing field of literature is backing up the practice with sound science. Plus, it’s legal in many states now – so what’s the harm? 

To get the most out of your cannabis, avoid stale or moldy weed (a hazard in its own right), and store your stash properly in a tightly sealed container with a two-way humidity control pack. This preserves the primary cannabinoids in your bud, and shields the flavor-rich terpenes from deterioration. 

Mind Your Body’s Basic Needs: Sleep, Food and Exercise 

The holidays are all about excess: lots of food and drink, evenings spent lounging on the couch, and late nights shooting the breeze with people. While those excesses are fine in moderation (an oxymoron?), too much can lead the body to stress. 

For our bodies and brains to suppress cortisol spikes and promote endorphins, we need to give them adequate sleep, some exercise and a balanced diet. If your “basic needs schedule” is all out of whack after the holidays, take January and February to put yourself back on track. Get consistent, sufficient sleep (7-8 hours for most adults), eat a diet rich in veggies and healthy fats, and break a sweat occasionally. 

With some work boundaries, a little mindfulness time, a helpful dose of cannabis and some basic bodily needs, you should be able to kick your stress this post-holiday season.