Holiday survival guide. It’s that time of the year again. We are in the middle of the holiday season when unexpected events arise and there are never enough minutes in the day. Don’t let this time of year overwhelm you, after all it’s supposed to be about family and togetherness. Read on for last minute tips and tricks to keep you calm and happy for the next few weeks.

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

HOW TO EASILY RELIEVE HOLIDAY STRESS

Get a few minutes of sunshine. This isn’t about spending hours baking in the sun and the days probably aren’t long enough anyway, but a few minutes of sunshine will do wonders to boost your mood and help the stress melt away. Make sure that you are breathing deeply and letting your body relax.

Get your blood flowing. Whatever you decide to do, whether it’s a walk in the park or a session at the gym, exercise puts you in a meditative state and you’ll soon see your worries melting away. Not to mention, breaking a sweat helps increase endorphins and you’ll find yourself with that awesome natural high for hours after your workout.

Surround yourself with calming scents.

Some citrus scents will help increase levels of norepinephrine that alleviate stress and will leave you feeling calm.
Rose Geranium is a crisp citrus floral that balances out the nervous system while giving your complexion a healthy natural glow.
Lavender, an adaptogen, has a soft relaxing scent that calms the nervous system, eliminates tension and helps you sleep.
Chamomile with its sweet floral scent is ideal for soothing your senses.
Jasmine is more intense but filled with romance and thus acts like an anti-depressant that is a great defense against anxiety.

Read more about the power of aromatherapy here: BEAUTY PRODUCTS TO BRING YOU CALM

Don’t be everything to everyone. Most of us have a daily routine and while you might not realize it, that’s actually quite comforting. Our stress levels start to rise as soon as we deviated from our schedules. This season, as much as possible, try sticking to your usual routine. Keep those gym appointments, read that book, do whatever it is that you do.

Turn up the music. The minute you start to feel overwhelmed and anxious, turn up the music and let go for a few minutes. You’ll see how quickly everything will be put into perspective. Need a great playlist? This one is for you: TOP 10 SONGS FOR THE GYM

Don’t skip meals. When we get busy, it’s tempting to skip meals because surely there’s plenty of time to eat later. That’s the worst thing you can do. When you are hungry your stress levels will increase and reaching for sugary treats will only cause your blood sugar to spike and that will make everything worse. Luckily, there are plenty of foods you can eat that will not only be good for you (and your complexion), but will also help keep those stress levels at a minimum. Go here to find the list: FOODS THAT REDUCE STRESS

HOW TO STAY FIT & HEALTHY (when you can’t sneak in a workout)

Hydrate. First and foremost, remember to drink lots of water. It is imperative for keeping your digestive system working and for giving you healthy, younger looking skin. I never drink enough, but I know that I feel much more healthy when I do.

Keep sweets to a minimum. It’s okay to indulge a little bit, but only a little. When going to a party, scan the room to find the food that you absolutely have to try and enjoy it. Remember, however, that moderation is key. A few bites should be enough.

Eat before going out. Eat a healthy meal before going out. If you aren’t hungry, then you won’t be so tempted to indulge. Luckily there are so many wonderful food options that you won’t even miss not having that extra piece of cake.

Keep sugary drinks to a minimum. I know, I know that they can taste fantastic, but the calories might not be worth it. Switch to wine spritzers for a festive bubbly feel. Also, this way you are killing two birds with one stone because you’ll get some valuable water intake.

Move, move and move. Lastly, keep moving. I promise that you will feel so much better. If you have no time, then take twenty minutes first thing in the morning. Put the music on and dance around to get your blood pumping. Or, try something new. I just went back to ballet and I feel fantastic! It has inspired me to stay healthy and active this month.

The most important tip for this month is let go, relax and enjoy yourself. By keeping stress to a minimum, you improve your chances of staying healthy and if you happen to gain a pound or two, then that’s your excuse for some New Years resolutions!

LAST MINUTE BEAUTY HACKS

Eyes. You only have a few seconds to rush off to a party and you look in the mirror to see that your liner is smudged and the shadow is starting to disappear. A touch of shine will hide a multitude of sins. You don’t need a lot, just enough to pick up the sparkle in your eyes. If your eyes are looking dull, simply apply a nude coloured liner to the water rim of your lower lid to make your eyes look instantly awake. Don’t forget to add a touch of highlighter to your bow bone before you walk out the door.

Complexion. Of course, we all want to have a flawless complexion any time of day or night. Start applying a hydrating face mask (starting now) every night during the holiday season. While I might not recommend doing this all the time and especially not if you already have dry or sensitive skin, if you know that you always break out in the same spot, try applying a benzoyl peroxide cream to that spot for a few days prior to your event.

Cheeks. This is not the time to forgo blush. Opt for a bright pink to add a natural looking youthful flush to your complexion. You can also define your cheekbones by swiping highlighter on the top of your cheek bones.