Your Holiday Survival Guide: How to Manage Holiday Stress
From November through New Year’s, it’s a whirlwind of shopping, cooking and party planning. With such hectic schedules and a to-do list a mile long, it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday madness.
While stress is inevitable this time of year, you can control how you react to it. That’s why it’s good to be prepared.
To keep calm amidst the chaos, I’ve put together a holiday stress survival guide so this year you’re ready:
1. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have
Practice gratitude. When you are grateful, you’re better able to cope when stressful situations arise.
Studies show gratitude not only lowers stress, but also reduces anxiety and depression. The holidays can be an extremely emotional time, which is why it’s important to make a conscious effort to appreciate what you have. It decreases the likelihood of going down a negativity spiral.
2. Take action on things you’ve been putting off
Now is an excellent time to re-connect with friends or engage in a hobby you’ve always wanted to pursue. Work tends to be a little more laidback around the holidays and with COVID slowing down social activities, we have more time for ourselves. Make it count!
3. Turn up the volume on your self-awareness
This will allow you to hear the internal triggers that tell you to pause for a minute and take a timeout.
Breathing is such a simple yet powerful technique to bring your mind and body into balance. Most of us unconsciously hold our breath in our chest, which creates more tension. When you’re feeling stressed, take 5 to 10 deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly until you feel more relaxed.
4. Find a way to give back
This can be a charity, an individual or even a friend or family member in need. We often get wrapped up in our heads and the stories we create. Helping others is a great way to stay away from the negative thought patterns and gain a different perspective.
It feels good to give - there’s a reason they call it the “helper’s high.”
5. Triple down on self-care
Wrapped up in the busyness of the holiday season, many of us forget to make ourselves a priority. What makes you feel calm? What brings you joy?
Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, so find what works best for you. Exercise more, fuel your mind and body with high energy foods, take Epsom salt baths, read books and educate yourself on something that interests you.
Be sure you get enough sleep and develop systems that help keep you more focused and organized. Make self-care a habit not just during the holidays, but all year round.
Ready to stress less? Reference this holiday survival guide whenever you need!