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Bowling Green | Wellness

5 Tips for Being Your Best Self During the Holidays

Melanie Potthast Student Contributor, Bowling Green State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bowling Green chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

We all know that the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year. However, the expectations of the season can be stressful due to clashing personalities, financial concerns, or other reasons. So, as my gift to all of you I will provide 5 tips for dealing with the stress of the holiday seasons.

girl sipping coffee while looking at holiday lights
Photo by Chris Ainsworth from Unsplash
  1. Appreciation of Beauty

Whether that be the millions of lights that sparkle in the streets, the many non-sparkly decorations found inside and out, or the natural beauty of the snowfalls, this time of year is filled with beauty. If you take a minute to just exist, and appreciate the world around you, I promise you that relaxation is sure to follow. 

  1. Exercise!

While the cold and snow makes it difficult to go outside and run, regular exercise is proven to help with stress. Go to your local gym, set something up at home, or brave the cold for a good workout or run. Trust me, you’ll feel a bit better. 

Hot Chocolate in Mug on a wooden table surrounded by leaves
Brigitte Tohm/Pexels
  1. Fuel

If there’s one good thing about winter as a whole, it’s the rich food and drink. There’s no better feeling than sitting down with hot chocolate while you watch the snow fall. It’s a good way to relax when you’re feeling stressed, but you already knew that. Hot chocolate is amazing.

  1. Spending Time With & Communicating With Loved Ones

Most people often spend time with their loved ones during the season. And even though you love them, conflicts of personality are bound to happen. Just remember to communicate about any issues that come up, and if they do not respect any boundaries set, it may not be worth spending your holidays with them.

  1. The Arts and Activities

Our lives are forever touched by the arts, and this season is no exception. From crafts to films to games the season is filled with fun, art based activities that are almost designed to take your mind off things. Who doesn’t love A Muppet Christmas Carol or making crafts?

Ultimately, the holiday season is one of my favorite times of year for a good reason. It’s beautiful and magical and whimsical and an embodiment of all that is good in the world. I hope this article will help you take advantage of the season to the fullest.

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Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
Melanie Potthast

Bowling Green '28

Hello! My name is Melanie Potthast. I am a sophomore at Bowling Green State University studying English Literature. Originally, I am from Lebanon, Ohio, which is a suburban town located about halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton.
Outside of writing, my major hobbies include running, reading, and fencing. I've been running since I was about 9 or 10 years old. I've run mostly 5ks and 10ks, but my eventual goal is to run a marathon. My favorite genre to read are mysteries, mostly because I have difficultly writing them. Finally, my fun fact hobby is that I'm about to start my second year apart of the BG fencing club. Outside my schoolwork and my hobbies, I love spending time with my family and friends.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a great day!