The holiday season is an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, to take some time off work, or even escape for a winter getaway. For all the joy and fun, though, so comes the stress.
The expectations of social events, gift shopping, and entertaining guests can become too much for even the most festive types. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association 8 out of 10 people expect to experience an increase in stress over the holiday season.
With stress comes a greater risk of anxiety and depression, and reports from the Mayo Clinic show that depression is frequently an unwelcome guest over the holidays.
All is not lost however, there are many ways you can minimize your stress and anxiety to allow you to truly enjoy the season.
Set A Budget
Shopping can be fun, but spending money isn’t always easy, and Americans spend almost $1,000 every holiday season on gifts alone. Purchasing gifts may be unavoidable, but you can minimize the damage by setting an affordable budget you are comfortable with, doesn’t break your bank, and by sticking to it.
A lot of the stress that we experience during the holidays is due to financial pressure, and the Mayo Clinic suggests that setting a budget can be beneficial to your stress levels. Work out how much you can afford to spend on food and gifts, and stick to it.
Exercise
The American Heart Association wants you to stay active all the time, and it’s extremely important to keep that up during the holidays. Any activity or exercise you can fit in will help you to keep your stress reduced and your mood elevated. It stimulates your endorphin production and triggers positive feelings in your body.
You might be busy, but if you can find time to exercise for half an hour (even just 10 minutes) three times a week, you will feel better. You can go walking or jogging, swimming or biking, dancing or play sports, and or even find time for aerobics or yoga.
Take It Easy
The American Psychological Association reminds us that we need to take time for ourselves. There are parties and gatherings and we are constantly surrounded by people. It’s great to be with the ones we love and laugh about the old days.
You shouldn’t miss all those great times, but what you should be careful of is setting unrealistic expectations. You can’t do everything, and it’s okay to take time out for yourself, even if it’s just 15 minutes.
If you do a whole lot of hosting, make sure you delegate. Whether you ask everyone to bring a different dish, or you rope in family to take on certain tasks, it can be a huge relief to share the responsibilities with others and often most enjoy contributing to the events.
Stay Smart
The holiday season is a time of indulgence, but as the Mayo Clinic directs- it doesn’t mean you should abandon your healthy ways. There’s no need for a free for all that will just add to your stress.
Enjoy yourself, but try having healthy snacks before holiday gatherings so you don’t over snack while you’re out. Make sure that you’re getting plenty of sleep, as you are more likely to overindulge after a poor night’s sleep.
Choose Your Battles
We almost all have someone in our circle that rubs us the wrong way. It’s only natural, not everyone can always get along. Allowing someone else to get under your skin, though, is only going to ruin your holiday and increase your stress levels. Learn to pick your battles, and don’t take the bait.
The Mayo Clinic suggests that if you have a real problem with someone, set it aside and save it for another day. Even the calmest people can lose their cool during the holidays.
Bottom Line
Self-care is a necessity not a luxury and is also a conscious choice, this is even more true during times of more stress, such as the holiday season. So make sure to take the time and create a deliberate plan for yourself so you can be at your best and enjoy it! Remember, the holidays are supposed to be a time of fun, family and relaxation, so don’t let stress interfere with this great time of year.
