#2013alive: alive Staff Share How They De-Stress

December’s 12 Months of Wellness reminds all of us busy bees to take a break. A daily “me” time ritual, such as practising yoga or journalling, can help us bid farewell to holiday stress. Today, we’re checking in with two talented (and very busy!) alive ladies to see how they de-stress.

Leah Payne, editor extraordinaire: “During the day, I’m so focused on the busy schedule and my never-ending to-do list that if I try to just go to bed at the end of the day with no downtime, my mind will keep me awake into the wee hours! I’ve learned that I need a bit of a buffer zone, where I quiet my mind at the end of the day. Usually this means writing in a journal to get everything out of my head and on paper, and then reading something calming and not too serious. I always look forward to it at the end of a busy day!”

Bronwyn Wilson, marketing maven: “I do a few things to de-stress over the holidays (although this is my favourite time of year, so I don’t get too stressed).

“First off, I always have all of my Christmas shopping done before December 1 so that I don’t have to deal with any hectic stores in the rush to get it done … usually all the gifts are wrapped and under the tree by this deadline as well.

“Next, I do take ‘me time’ and ensure that I keep up with my reading, so that means at least 15 minutes before bed each night to help my brain settle down and my body know it’s sleep time (as best I can as a prego).

“I do go for walks daily as well with our pup; it helps her and me to have some bonding time, and I LOVE seeing the holiday lights and decorations in our neighbourhood. I am very fortunate to have quite a few friends that live just blocks away, so we tend to walk together and bundle up.”

How about you?

Do you take time—even just a moment or two—to de-stress each day? Let us know, and keep us updated on your 12 Months of Wellness journey in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #2013alive). You might also want to download a December goal-tracking sheet to schedule your daily de-stressing time.