The holidays are finally over, but one thing remains: stress!  If you’re anything like me, you got all worked up trying to check all of the boxes off in preparing for and carrying out all of the many holiday plans and responsibilities.  Now is the time to unwind, relax, renew, and start FRESH for the brand new year ahead.

Unwind and Renew for the New Year

Make time to check things off of your to-do list.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but getting your “list items” done each day really help you to be less stressed.  Take some time to evaluate the expectations you are putting on yourself, though.  If your list is 4 pages long every day, you’re probably overreaching what is actually doable!

Make sure you are only asking enough of yourself that can actually get accomplished in a single day, week, month, or year (depending on your list).  Break it down into smaller steps, if possible, so you can still check things off even if you didn’t get every aspect of the job done.

Eat healthy, nourishing foods.

The holiday diet is usually not the healthiest.  The new year is the perfect time to eat healthy, wholesome foods.  Fruits, vegetables, bone broth, nuts and seeds, and other whole foods are incredibly nourishing and healing to your stomach and whole body.

Get moving!

Exercise can help you to feel more accomplished and happy.  It gets your blood pumping and sends tons of oxygen to your brain.  It releases hormones that make you feel happy and sleep better.  Exercise doesn’t have to take a long time.  You can do it in 5 or 10 minute spurts or in 30-60 minute sessions.  It’s up to you.

Give yourself some ME TIME daily.

Me Time doesn’t have to be elaborate.  It can be as simple as enjoying a warm bath, filled with Epsom salts.  Throw in your favorite essential oils or light a scented candle.

It could be enjoying your favorite tea or coffee while bundled up by the fireplace.  Your Me Time could be grocery shopping (alone!) or journaling.  MY favorite Me Time is receiving a relaxing massage.  Find out what makes you feel refreshed, and treat yourself as often as you can.

Spend time with family and friends.

Make an effort to spend quality time with the people that you love.  Playing board games, enjoying a meal together, or even just watching a movie can be a perfect way to destress.

If you can, read to and with your children, even if they are older.  Tell stories about things that happened in your life, or even your parents’ or grandparents’ lives to your kids.  Ask them specific questions about what they dream about, think about, or are working towards.  Bonding time can be very therapeutic for everyone involved and can leave you with a sense of relaxation and fulfillment that is totally worth the time investment.

Hallmark sent me a variety of goodies to help me to relax and unwind.  I wanted to share this with you, and show you some of the awesome products that they have available that you might not have known about!

Did you know that Hallmark stores have a wide selection of scented candles and body products available?  Crafters & Co. is an artisan-made line of candles, soaps, and teas.  This line is exclusive to Hallmark Gold Crown and can even be viewed online and ordered for store pick up as well.

The candles and bath and body products are highly-scented and are a wonderful gift to yourself or for someone you treasure.

I love the wintery scents that I got, Mistletoe and Cinnamon Bark.  They helped me to feel relaxed and more like it was winter over the past month even though our temperatures have been closer to spring than a winter wonderland!

With Valentine’s Day coming up, you might want to check out the more luxurious scents of cashmere and pearls or  warm vanilla.  You might prefer the soft, relaxing fragrances of sugar magnolia or lavender chamomile.

Hallmark also has a wide selection of teacup and saucer sets, tea, and accessories.  These would be great for a Secret Sister, mother, aunt, a teacher, friend, co-worker, or even your Valentine. 🙂  They currently have seven flavors of tea, and I can tell you that I am super curious about the vanilla chai.  That’s my personal favorite flavor combination, and I want to make myself a mug to unwind soon!

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to win a care package of relaxing, pampering items from Hallmark?  They’re going to send one lucky winner a box of goodies like mine, full of wintery-scented goodies and gifts.

To enter, just comment below with YOUR favorite way to relax after the holidays.  Giveaway is open to residents of the United States, aged 18 and older.  Voice where prohibited.  Giveaway entry period ends 1/26/17 at 11:59PM.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!