If you’re struggling with holiday anxiety, you need to try this trauma therapist’s treetop.
More than a quarter of Americans (28%) admit they are experiencing more stress than they did at this time last year, thanks to the higher cost of gift giving, grieving the loss of a loved one and the dynamic family complex after controversial elections. .
Maddie Spear, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist specializing in trauma, PTSD, anxiety and coping skills, says she has just the trick to relieve stress and anxiety.
First, draw a Christmas tree with a down arrow followed by an up arrow, then a down arrow and another up arrow.
“You can draw the tree however you want,” Spear told her 327,200 TikTok followers in a resurfaced video, “but make sure you put those four arrows in there.”
Spear directed her audience to use their finger to trace along the arrows, going down with the down arrows and up with the up arrows.
“After you’ve done this a few different times, I want us to take your breath and your finger and stitch them together,” said Spear, who is based in North Carolina.
“We’re going to breathe down arrows through the mouth and up arrows through the nose,” Spear continued.
Repeat as needed. Spear said this exercise helps slow the heart rate and promotes a sense of calm.
Taking slow, deep belly breaths activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps manage stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
If you’re not much of an artist, there are other ways you can ease the stress of the holidays.
Dr. Michelle Loy, an integrative medicine physician at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, shared with The Post six simple tips for achieving a healthier mindset during the holidays.
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