Something to know before the holiday cooking season begins (part two)

As I move through and navigate a transitional period in my life, you’ll never guess a practice that’s been getting me over the hump of stress and sour moods. Dancing! Dancing workouts, little twirls, or grooving with headphones in the kitchen. Maybe it’s that thing we can all benefit from, helping us let go of taking things too seriously.

Welcome to part two of Something to know before the holiday cooking season begins! These tips may be elementary, but they’re essential.

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Ways to limit stress in the kitchen

1. Dance

… before, during, or after cooking, eating, or visiting with friends and family.

“Recent research has shown that dancing takes effect directly in improving mental health, by reducing rates of depression, anxiety, and enhancing the mood aspects in people of any age.”

I’ve felt it firsthand. Now, with some reading, I’ve discovered that dancing has been studied and does, in fact, have positive cognitive effects of elevating mood and overall brain function. Plus, when schedules are out of whack and you may miss your daily workout or walk, you can get some steps or cardio while dancing.

2. Play music

Whether dancers or not, we can’t deny the benefits of listening to music. Break the silence and quiet inner noise in the kitchen by putting on a playlist or go-to radio station.

A favorite I’ve enjoyed lately as soothing background music while I write and work is this mostly instrumental playlist from my dear friend Jade, Coastal Life.

3. Take a breath

I won’t dive into the powerful effects of our breath as I often do. And I know oh so well that it may be difficult to remember to pause and breathe, especially when doing multiple things, like the multi-armed goddess or god you are. Why not tape a small note above the sink or set an alarm on your phone with the word “breathe” to remind you when you need it most?

Here are a few quick and easy practices you can do in the kitchen:

Lengthen your exhale. Try it now: Through your nose, inhale for two counts… and exhale for four counts. When ready, increase to a three-count inhale and a six-count exhale. This is a simple method to initiate the body’s relaxation response and feel more calm.

Box Breathing, a popular method that also promotes calm *and* helps to focus your mind. It’s also simple: Inhale for four, pause for four, exhale for four, pause for four, and repeat… inhaling and exhaling through your nose if can. Do this for at least four rounds or as long as you’d like.

A two-part inhalation technique: Inhale deeply through your nose in two parts (inhale halfway, quickly pause, inhale fully), then sigh it all out through your mouth. Once, twice, three times, or more… Use it to release whatever tension you’re holding.

4. Just pause

We all tend to dwell on memories or worry about the future; this can catalyze anxiety or keep us from enjoying what we’re presently doing.

A well-researched method to counter this is mindfulness. The act of mindfulness (an age-old technique primarily rooted in Buddhism) is defined as being in the present moment and adopting a nonjudgmental awareness of the here and now. Consciously focusing on the present moment centers us and gives our minds a break, cultivating the calmness we need to handle stressful moments.

Here are a few practices you can use in the kitchen:

S.T.O.P.: Stop what you’re doing. Take a breath. Observe feelings, sensations, surroundings. Proceed.
Body scan: Close your eyes and observe each part of your body, from the tip of your head to your toes, as quickly or slowly as you’d like. Use your breath to release anything in areas you notice are tight. Then proceed.
5-4-3-2-1: Using your senses, notice five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Then proceed.

Wishing you well, and I’ll see you here again real soon. Click here to read part one of Something to know before the holiday cooking season begins.