4 ways to de-stress at home during the Christmas rush

MANILA, Philippines – Christmas is a happy season, but heavy traffic, crowded malls, and last-minute gift shopping can dampen the mood.

Of course, you’d want to keep the Christmas spirit alive, and one surefire way to do that is to find time to relax at home.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the parties, gatherings, and budgeting that the season entails, take a deep breath.

Schedule a free afternoon. Stay in, sit back, and relax.

Create an atmosphere of warm festivity in your home and start small Christmas traditions that will keep you calm and collected amidst the holiday rush. Here are effective ways to de-stress during the busy holidays. 

Have a go-to Christmas playlist

Before heading out to any party or reunion, create an ambiance of Christmas cheer in your place of respite by playing tunes from a well-curated Christmas playlist. Sing along to renditions of classic Christmas songs by Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Mariah Carey. This will help you unwind while you get ready for the holiday festivities.

Watch well-loved holiday films

There’s nothing like cozying up at home, with the cool breeze of your air conditioner in full blast, as you do a marathon of Christmas film favorites with your family. Put on holiday-themed films like Home Alone, or if you’re in the mood for something that will tug at your heartstrings, watch the star-studded Love, Actually.

If none of these is your cup of tea, try watching The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton – a dark fantasy musical that can make you view the holidays in a unique way.

Whip up delicious Christmas treats

One thing that Filipinos can’t seem to stop doing during the holidays is to eat, eat, and eat!

You don’t need to wait for reunions and Noche Buena to indulge. In your kitchen, create treats that you can munch on any time of the day. Keep cinnamon and gingerbread pastries cool in your refrigerator to serve to guests, or enjoy a cup of hot peppermint chocolate by yourself while you read a good book.

Cozy up in sweaters and blankets

‪As soon as December rolls in and the temperature drops, out come the sweaters, blankets, and scarves. These will be in heavy rotation all month for simbang gabi or lounging around at home. Make sure to pop them into the washing machine regularly to keep them clean and smelling fresh – just make sure to choose a model that wouldn’t damage these thick fabrics.

De-stressing during the holidays can be simple, with the help of efficient appliances around your home. Do you have other foolproof relaxation tips? Share them with us. – Rappler.com