5 Ways to De-Stress and Make Your Holidays a Little More Awesome

“First we’ll make snow angels for two hours, and then we’ll go ice skating, and then we’ll eat a whole roll of Toll House cookie dough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle." ~ Elf 

~ ~ ~ 

Congratulations, you’ve made it to the peak of the holidays with cheer to spare! No more deadlines to hit, no emails to return, just a hot toddy, Bing Crosby crooning, and — hopefully — a chance to relax and hit reset in the days ahead.  Ferris Bueller reminds us in moments like this that “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” We agree. So, in the spirit of slowing down and breathing in every minute of magic, here are a few ideas to help you de-stress and make this holiday a tad more awesome.  

1. Take in the view. In all the holiday hustle, it’s easy to forget the gifts we already have. Stop. Breathe. Take in the view. Instead of adding stuff to your life, take note of what’s surrounding you. Acknowledge the wins — both business and personal — and the people who matter. Then (when no one’s watching) give yourself a long overdue high-five.  

2. Unplug. You’ve been working hard, maybe too hard. Use this time off to rest and refresh for the year ahead. One of the most important pieces in hitting the reset button? Unplugging your phone. The world can keep spinning out of control without you. Give yourself — and the most important people around you — the gift of your presence and full attention. 

3. Grab some green. You’ve been bringing your A game, hitting those sales quotas, and hustling all year.Take some time to grab some green by getting outside. Take a few short walks each day or, if it’s more your style, go hike a trail or climb a mountain. This is especially important if you’ve been too much about work and have forgotten how to play lately. At Improv our entire team is following this thinking by launching a company wide fitness challenge. Armed with new fit-bits and BPA-free water bottles (thanks, boss!) we are challenging one another to hit 10,000-20,000 steps a day and be healthier in 2019. We are using the fitbit.com and LoseIt apps to help us hit our goals. Remember: Your health is your true wealth.

4. Serve somebody. There’s nothing like getting gifts but when is the last time you felt the rush of serving? One of the purest ways to understand your own good fortune is to help someone get a step closer to their own. That doesn’t have to be a grand gesture like working at a homeless shelter (although that’s awesome too), sometimes serving is as simple as spending and hour or two mentoring a younger person, helping a neighbor shovel their driveway, or spending quality time with a friend in need. 

5. Express appreciation. In life and in business, a thank you has power. It’s one thing to think about all the people you appreciate, it’s another thing to actually put pen to paper, write an email, or pick up the phone and tell them. Consider taking five minutes out of every day to express thanks to someone. It can be a business associate, a family member, or maybe your English teacher from high school. Even if it’s just a few brief sentences, let that person know specifically what it is you appreciate about them and the difference they made/make in your life. Expressing gratitude to others affirms others but studies show that gratitude also results in stronger relationships, peace of mind, and stronger physical and mental health.  

We at Improv wish you and yours a holiday season brimming with joy, laughter, and meaningful moments and a New Year defined by success and prosperity.