Give Yourself Permission to Breathe Deeply and Relax

As we enter traditional holiday seasons, it’s a great time to take a moment to relax. Take a moment to slow down, breathe deeply and nourish your mind and body. Take a moment to focus on you.

The effect of stress on your body may be as super-charged as glistening lights on houses, festive music played at your favorite store or the smell of peppermint, pine trees and spicy hot cider. Combine that with the desire to connect with family and friends and to have the merriest of times, even the staunchest extravert may need to take a moment to unwind.

Give yourself a treat and pause to focus on stress reduction while you enjoy a guided Meditation Moment — Happy Holidays with Less Stress — with Skylar Griessel, Humana Health Educator.

Meditation is a mind-body practice that can promote calmness and physical relaxation. It can improve physiological balance, help you cope with illness and enhance overall health and well-being. Meditation and mindfulness are often combined with breathing to help you let go of stress and feel calmer and peaceful.

“Meditation may help enrich your life and can be integrated into your daily routine as part of healthy mindful habits,” said Skylar. “I always like to say that meditation doesn't cost us anything. If we are feeling a little stressed—a little hurried in today's go-go-go society—taking time to slow down, do nothing and just breathe is very often the thing we need most.”

Taking time to reduce stress is helpful and healthy any time of year. As you move into the holiday season, consider it a gift to yourself to pause in the present moment and breathe.

For more Meditation Moments with Skylar, check out the Humana Neighborhood Center video library.