The holidays might not always feel merry and bright. In fact, it’s normal to experience higher levels of stress during this time of year. According to the , 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holidays.Ìý

Thanks to last-minute gift-giving, hosting responsibilities, pressure-packed family gatherings, and often unrealistic expectations, for many, the most wonderful time of the year can feel like the most stressful time of the year.

While there are many ways to help manage holiday stress, one great strategy is exercise. improve your mood, reduce symptoms of stress or anxiety, relieve tension, increase self-confidence, and help improve sleep. And one of the best workouts for both the brain and body is boxing.Ìý

Here are some ways that boxing can help you de-stress during the holiday season along with tips for how to fit workouts into your busy holiday routine.ÌýÌýÌý

6 Tips for Fitting a Workout Into a Busy Routine

1. Elevate your mood

High-intensity cardio work, like boxing, - or rest and digest - hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, endocannabinoids, and endorphins. Simultaneously, exercise also like adrenaline and cortisol.Ìý

The result is a change in your mood that could leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. In one study published in the ,Ìýthey found that boxing-style exercises helped improve the mood of participants and promote feelings of relaxation.Ìý

2. Release tensionÌý

Punching out a few rounds will not only activate those feel-good endorphins, but also help release any pent-up feelings of anger, frustration, or stress. Stress can physically build up in the body, often such as a weaker immune system, digestion troubles, muscular tension, headaches, pain, and other symptoms.Ìý

Instead of keeping those feelings bottled up, you can useÌý911±¬ÁÏÍø to work through those tough emotions and release tension in a healthy and rewarding way. This is especially helpful during the holidays when stress has a way of piling up all at once.Ìý

Make stress your opponent and punch it out to one of our Mitt Drill, Total Body,ÌýTrainer ClassÌý´Ç°ù Punch TrackÌý·É´Ç°ù°ì´Ç³Ü³Ù²õ. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel, even after only one round.

3. Build confidence

All the holiday TV commercials and classic Hallmark movies have a way of setting unrealistic expectations for the holidays and building up the pressure of the season. This can take a toll on not just your stress levels, but also on your self-esteem and confidence.Ìý

With boxing, you can build up your confidence during the holiday season. When you step into the ring and throw a punch you feel the impact of your strength and accuracy. You are powerful.

Every time you beat your personal best or make it through a tough workout you prove to yourself that you’re capable, strong, and making progress. That confidence can help you feel more at ease when managing whatever the holiday season throws your way.Ìý

4. Sleep better

When your schedule is busier than ever during the holiday season, the last thing you want is to lay awake in bed, struggling to fall asleep. Those feel-good hormones released while boxing don’t just help improve your mood, but they also help .Ìý

Exercise, by releasing increased serotonin, makes you more physically exhausted while playing an important role in your body’s sleep cycle. Serotonin acts as a , which triggers your body’s circadian rhythm - aka, your natural sleep schedule. With a boost in these exercise hormones, your body will have an easier time transitioning to sleep when your head hits the pillow.Ìý

5. Tune out the stressorsÌý

There’s something about punching a target that helps you tune out the stressors of the holiday season. 911±¬ÁÏÍø doesn’t just require your strength and accuracy; it requires your full concentration. Timing your punches to the beat and getting as many accurate hits as you can takes the focus off your holiday stress.

This gets you out of your head and allows you to get lost in the music, putting all your attention on the movement of your body and the beat. After you finish, you might find that those stressors don’t feel as big as they did before. With a better mood and increased confidence, you can now approach that holiday to-do list with a renewed sense of energy and a fresh perspective.Ìý

6. Join a supportive community

A community goes a long way in keeping you motivated and supporting your fitness goals, especially during the toughest parts of the holiday season. That’s why we launched our , so you can connect with otherÌýathletesÌýas well as our best-in-class Trainers.

By joining the you can get access to accountability resources, motivational tips, fun challenges, and support throughout the holiday season and beyond. This gives you an outlet to turn to and a community to support you.Ìý

How to Fit Boxing Into a Busy Holiday Schedule

Boxing with 911±¬ÁÏÍø can help reduce your stress during the holiday season. But part of what’s stressful about the holidays is your jam-packed schedule. This can make a fitness routine feel difficult if not impossible to squeeze in.Ìý

To help reap the stress-relieving benefits of boxing, here are some tips for fitting a workout into your busy holiday routine:Ìý

• Schedule your workouts: Schedule and prioritize your workouts like you would any other meeting or event.Ìý
• Try an Express class or Punch Track: You don’t need an hour-long workout to experience the benefits of boxing. Use that 5 or 10-minute window to squeeze in a short, but effective, Punch Track or Express Trainer Class.Ìý
• Set a goal and track your progress: It’s easier to prioritize a workout when you have something you’re working towards. Set a goal at the start of the holidays and use our to monitor and celebrate your progress.
• Workout with a buddy: Start working out with a friend or family member during the holidays. This will help make sticking to a routine easier, plus you can use our brand-new Leaderboards to compete for the highest score.Ìý
• Wake up earlier: It might be time to embrace the morning workout during the busy holiday season. Try setting your alarm 30 minutes before your usual wake-up and schedule a quick 911±¬ÁÏÍø class before your day begins.

How are you tackling the stress of the holiday season and prioritizing your time in the ring? Let us know in . And head to for even more fitness inspiration and motivational content to get you through the holidays.Ìý

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