Page 106 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

HEALTHY LIVING
SELF-CARE
The holidays can be stressful. There are end-of-the-year duties with kids, the job, and community organizations. Add that to cooking holiday dinners, buying presents, and connecting with extended family. While the actual eating of a holiday meal can be delicious, the giving and receiving gifts can be nurturing, and the family get-togethers fulfilling, it takes a lot of work to get there.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults will have some mental illness during the holidays. Holiday stress can trigger the mental symptoms of depression or anxiety. In addition, winter months typically have fewer hours
of sunshine, which can cause many to feel sad in the darkness. For those who have recently lost a loved one or do not have close friends and family, they could suffer from loneliness and isolation.
So, during the holidays, self-care should be a priority. Biloxi- based Massage Therapist Alicia Toliver confirms that “engaging in self-care practices such as massage therapy can be a way to prioritize your well-being and show yourself some love.”
Toliver owns Spa Ambiance and notes that massages are beneficial for multiple reasons. “Massages can help
relax your muscles and release tension, reducing stress
during the story by Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
and promoting a sense of calm. They can alleviate muscle aches, pain, and discomfort and enhance blood circulation. Massages can boost your mood and reduce anxiety, providing a mental and emotional benefit.” Outcomes can vary depending on the individual, so a consultation is beneficial.
Meditation is a mind-based principle that can help with holiday madness. It is the act of advancing consciousness
by relaxing the mind while being present in the moment. Meditation helps with anxiety and stress by combining concentration with reflection. It can also help with some inflammatory conditions, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.
Yoga is also a self-care act that can aid with holiday stress
by uniting the mind, body, and spirit in calming bliss. It is an Indian practice that incorporates forms of stretching along with breathing techniques that improve mood, raise energy levels, and lessen musculoskeletal aches and pains.
A good thing about the holidays is you can find great deals, so a yoga session, massage therapy hour, or meditation basics class could very well be highly discounted. This can de-stress your
bank account! So go ahead and take care of yourself this holiday season.
106 | December 2023
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living